SABBATH SCH
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THE ACTS OF
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THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. 12:3.
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me
the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, 0 Lord
God of hosts." Jer. 15:16.
"As a means of intellectual training, the opportunities of the Sabbath are
invaluable. Let the Sabbath-school lesson be learned, not by a hasty glance at
the lesson scripture on Sabbath morning, but by careful study for the next
week on Sabbath afternoon, with daily review or illustration during the week.
Thus the lesson will become fixed in the memory, a treasure never to be
wholly
lost."—Education,
pages 251, 252.
"Every day some portion of time should be appropriated to the study of
the lessons, not merely in learning to mechanically repeat the words, while
the mind does not comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very founda-
tion, and become familiar with what is brought out in the
lesson."—Counsels
on Sabbath School Work,
page 53.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-
bath-school lesson each day of the week.
Name
LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
I. The Great Commission; The
8. The Third Persecution; The
Twelve Apostles
Martyrdom of Stephen
2.
The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
9. Missionary Expansion: From
3.
The Healing of the Lame Man
Judea to Samaria
4.
The First Persecution
io. The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
5.
The Spirit of God at Work
The Ministry of Peter
6.
The Second Persecution
12. Peter Renders an Account;
7.
The Seven Deacons
The Word at Antioch
13. The Fourth Persecution; An Attack on James and Peter
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 248, April-June, 1957. 15 cents a single copy, 50 cents
a year, in U.S.A. and Canada; 15 cents a single copy, 60 cents a year to all other countries. Published
in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), Mountain View,
California. Entered as second-class matter Oct. 13, 1904, at the post office in Mountain View, Califor-
nia, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage
provided for in Section 1103, Act of Oct. 3, 1917, and authorized Sept. 18, 1918. When a change of
address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
Copyright, 1957, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
LESSONS FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES I
Lesson 1, for April 6, 1957
The Great Commission; The Twelve Apostles
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts 1.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapters 1 to 3; "Testimonies," vol. 8,
pp. 19-23; "The Desire of Ages," pages 829-835; Lesson Help in "Review and
Herald" of March 21; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts,
chapter 1.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
❑
Wednesday: Questions 10-12.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To emphasize the gospel commission and the promise
of the power of the Holy Spirit to carry it out; to show the conscious unity of
the disciples after the Lord had left them to go to heaven.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Closing Scenes of Christ's Life
1.
Proofs of Christ's resurrection.
Acts 1:3.
2.
The expectation of the disciples.
Acts 1:6, 7.
3.
The promise of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:5, 8.
4.
Awaiting the fulfillment. Luke
24:49.
5.
The gospel commission. John
15:26, 27; Matt. 28:19, 20;
Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8.
6.
The Lord's ascension. Acts 1:9,
10, 12.
7.
The promise of Jesus' return.
Acts 1:11.
II. The Church Assembled
8.
The disciples:
e. The eleven named. Acts 1:13.
b.
The believers numbered.
Acts 1:15.
31
9.
The meeting in the upper room.
Acts 1:13, 14.
10.
The need for another disciple.
Acts 1:16-22.
11.
The qualifications of Judas's
successor. Acts 1:22.
12.
The choice made. Acts 1:23-26.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
The Closing Scenes of Christ's Life
Introduction:
Christ had been crucified
as the Sin Bearer for men and to offer sal-
vation to all by God's grace. He had risen
from the dead, and during the forty days
had met from time to time with His disci-
ples. He convinced the eleven beyond all
doubt that He had risen, and He instructed
them further in the gospel. Now the Holy
Spirit is again promised. The Saviour as-
cends to heaven, and the church, awaiting
the baptism of the Spirit, further organ-
izes its leadership.
Places:
Mount Olivet, or the Mount of
Olives, a "Sabbath-day's journey," or about
three quarters of a mile, from Jerusalem,
and near the village of Bethany, the home
of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
The "upper room" in Jerusalem, prob-
ably the room where the Last Supper was
eaten, and supposed by many to be in a
house owned by a believing woman, the
mother of John Mark, and sister to Joses
Barnabas.
Persons:
Jesus Christ; two angels; eleven
apostles, with Peter a spokesman; Matthias.
Interesting Term:
"Bishopric." The word
is used as a translation of the Greek of
which "dverseership" is a far better render-
ing. The apostles were not bishops in the
usual meaning of the word. The words
"elder," "overseer," and "bishop" are used
interchangeably in the New Testament for
the office of elder or "presbyter." See Acts
20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-7.
Authorship of the Book:
Compare Acts
1:1 with Luke 1:1-4. The "former," or
first, treatise is Luke's Gospel. Luke is the
Lucas of Philemon 24 and Paul's traveling
companion and "the beloved physician" of
Colossians 4:14. The book of Acts covers
almost thirty-two years of the development
of the early church.
1.
What were some of the "many
proofs" given to the disciples? What
did Christ teach the disciples? Acts
1:3.
2.
What question was still in the
minds of the disciples? How did Je-
sus answer it? Acts 1:6, 7. Compare
Matt. 20:20-23; 24:3; Luke 17:20.
NOTE.—"The apostles had entertained the
common opinions of the Jews about the
temporal dominion of the Messiah. They
expected that he would reign as a prince
and conqueror, and would free them from
the bondage of the Romans. Many in-
stances where this expectation is referred to
occur in the Gospels notwithstanding all
the efforts which the Lord Jesus made to
explain to them the true nature of his
kingdom. This expectation was checked,
and almost destroyed by his death. Luke
xxiv. 21. And it is clear that
his death
was
the only means which could effectually
change their opinions on this subject. Even
his own instructions would not do it; and
nothing but his being taken from them
could direct their minds effectually to the
true nature of his kingdom. Yet, though
his death checked their expectations, and
appeared to thwart their plans, his return
to life excited them again. . . . And as
they did not doubt now that he
would
re-
store the - kingdom to Israel, they asked
whether he would do it
at that time?
They
did not ask whether he would do it at all,
or whether they had correct views of his
kingdom; but taking that for granted, they
asked him whether
that was the time
in
which he would do it. The emphasis of
4 3
TA
GREAT
WITH s:
THE GREAT PROMISE:
HE ASCENDED.
HE WILL RETURN.
11167-/
the inquiry lies in the expression,
'at this
time,'
and hence the answer of the Saviour
refers solely to the point of their inquiry,
and not to the correctness or incorrectness
of their opinions."—Albert Barnes,
Notes
on the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 1:6.
3.
What divine Person did Jesus
promise would come and abide with
the disciples? Acts 1:5, 8. Compare
John 14:16, 17, 26; 16:13-15; 20:22.
NorE.—Since Christ had ascended, the
Holy Spirit, as soon as He was given, was
to be the divine Person ever present. Every-
where throughout the book of Acts the
Spirit is the living guide, counselor, and
strengthener of the believers. We meet
Him on every page, in every incident.
4.
Concerning this promise, what
had Christ bidden the disciples do?
Luke 24:49.
NorE.—It is not an easy thing to wait,
especially during a time of crisis. But the
disciples needed strength beyond their own
poor power.
"In obedience to Christ's command, they
[the disciples] waited in Jerusalem for the
promise of the Father,—the outpouring of
the Spirit. They did not wait in idleness.
The record says that they were 'continually
in the temple, praising and blessing God.' "
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 35.
5.
What commission would the
Holy Spirit enable the church to carry
out? How far afield was the Christian
witness to
be
carried? John 15:26, 27;
Matt. 28:19, 20; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8.
NOTE.—"The events of Christ's life, His
death and resurrection, the prophecies
pointing to these events, the mysteries of
the plan of salvation, the power of Jesus
for the remission of sins,—to all these
things they had been witnesses, and they
were to make them known to the world.
They were to proclaim the gospel of peace
and salvation through repentance and the
power of the Saviour."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 27.
6.
What miraculous event closed
Christ's earthly career? From what
place did He leave the earth? Acts
1:9, 10, 12. Compare Luke 24:50-52.
NorE.—"All heaven was waiting the hour
of triumph when Jesus should ascend to
His Father. Angels came to receive the
King of glory, and to escort Him trium-
phantly to heaven. After Jesus had blessed
His disciples, He was parted from them."
—Early Writings,
page 190.
7.
What assurance did two angels
bring? Acts 1:11.
Nom—The return of Christ is as certain
as was His birth, His life on earth, His
death, His resurrection, and His ascension.
Each is as sure as the other. They stand
together as a glorious whole.
The Church Assembled
8.
Name the apostles who saw Je-
sus ascend. How many believers were
in Jerusalem at the time? Acts 1:
13, 15.
5
9.
Where did the church meet, and
for what purpose? Acts 1:13, 14.
NoTE.—"These days of preparation were
days of deep heart searching. The disciples
felt their spiritual need, and cried to the
Lord for the holy unction that was to fit
them for the work of soulsaving. They
did not ask for a blessing for themselves
merely. They were weighted with the bur-
den of the salvation of souls. They real-
ized that the gospel was to be carried to
the world, and they claimed the power
that Christ had promised."—The
Acts of
the Apostles,
page 37.
10.
What had the suicide of Judas
made necessary? Acts 1:16-22.
11.
What experience would qualify
the man who was to become the
twelfth apostle? Acts 1:22.
Nois.—A man was to be chosen from
"those who had witnessed the life and
works of Christ, and who were therefore
qualified to discharge the duties of the of-
fice from which Judas fell."—Albert Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 1:
21, 22.
12.
Who was chosen in Judas's
place, and by what method? Acts 1:
23-26.
NoTE.—"By the casting of the lot. This
word is . . .
a calculus,
or
pebble,
by which
votes were given, or lots were cast. It
means, that
by the result of the lot,
he was
reckoned as an apostle. Nothing further is
related of Matthias in the New Testament.
Where he labored, and when and where he
died, is unknown, nor is there any tradition
on which reliance is to be placed. The elec-
tion of Matthias throws some light on the
organization of the church. 1. He was
chosen to fill the place vacated by Judas,
and for a specific purpose, to be a
witness
of the resurrection of Christ. There is no
mention of any design. It was not to or-
dain men exclusively, or to rule over the
churches, but to be a witness to an im-
portant fact. 2. There is no intimation here
that it was designed that there should be
successors
to the apostles in the peculiar
duties of the apostolic office."—Albert
Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 1:26.
"In plotting against Christ, the rabbis
were not doing the works of Abraham. A
mere lineal descent from Abraham was of
no value. Without a spiritual connection
with him, which would be manifested in
possessitg
—
the-same spirit, and doing the
same works, they were not his children.
"This principle bears with equal weight
upon a question that has long agitated the
Christian world,—the question of apostolic
succession. Descent from Abraham was
proved, not by name and lineage, but by
likeness of character. So the apostolic suc-
cession rests not upon the transmission of
ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual
relationship. A life actuated by the apostles'
spirit, the belief and teaching of the truth
they taught, this is the true evidence of
apostolic succession. This is what consti-
tutes men the successors of the first teach-
ers of the gospel."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 466, 467.
Lesson 2, for April 13, 1957
The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts
2.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this,
which ye now see and hear." Acts 2:33.
-
[6]
STUDY HELPS: "The Acts of the Apostles," chapters 4 and 5; "Testimonies," vol. 7,
pp. 31-33; Lesson Help in the "Review and Herald" of March 28; "The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts, chapter 2.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
0
Wednesday: Questions 13-15.
0
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Monday: Questions 5-9.
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
0
Tuesday: Questions 10-12.
PURPOSE OF
THE LESSON: To enable us to know with what power the Holy Spirit
came; how intimately He was united with the church; how the stream of gos-
pel truth flows from the Old Testament into the New; how surely Christ Jesus
is the Lord of all, and how certainly He saves.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Coming of the Spirit
1.
The closeness of Christian fellow-
ship. Acts 2:1.
2.
The manifestation of the Spirit.
Acts 2:2, 3.
3.
The gift of tongues. Acts 2:4.
4.
The sojourners in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:6-12.
II. Peter's Defense
5.
The cause of spiritual joy. Acts
2:15, 16.
6.
Old Testament prophecies of the
Spirit. Acts 2:17, 18.
7.
Who crucified the Lord. Acts
2:22, 23.
8.
Death could not hold Christ.
Acts 2:24.
9.
Prophecies of the resurrection.
Acts 2:25-28, 30-32.
10.
The psalmist looked beyond him-
self. Acts 2:29, 34.
11.
The ascension and the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:33-36.
111.
The Way of Salvation
12.
The convicting power of the '
Spirit. Acts 2:37.
13.
Repentance, baptism, and the
Spirit. Acts 2:38-41, 47, last
part.
IV. The Progress of the Church
14.
The church's faithfulness and
devotion. Acts 2:42, 43, 46, 47.
15.
The common purse. Acts 2:44, 45.
THE LESSON
Places:
The "upper room" where 120
believers have been praying for the gift of
the Holy Spirit. •
The streets of Jerusalem, where the
Spirit-filled apostles preached. The temple
in Jerusalem.
Persons:
The Holy Spirit; the twelve
apostles, with Peter again a spokesman; a
growing company of believers.
Interesting Terms:
"Pentecost." So
named from the Greek for "fiftieth," be-
cause the early summer harvest celebration
of the Jews fell fifty days, or seven weeks
(the seven Sabbaths of Lev. 23:15, 16) af-
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
"The Spirit came upon the
waiting, praying disciples with a full-
ness that reached every heart. The Infinite
One revealed Himself in power to His
church. It was as if for ages this influence
had been held in restraint, and now Heaven
rejoiced in being able to pour out upon the
church the riches of the Spirit's grace. And
under the influence of the Spirit, words of
penitence and confession mingled with
songs of praise for sins forgiven."-The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 38.
[ 7 ]
ter the first Sabbath of the spring Feast of
Unleavened Bread. Pentecost was therefore
known also as the Feast of Weeks. Christ
arose on the day when the sheaf of barley
was waved as the first fruits, which was the
day following the first Sabbath of Unleav-
ened Bread (Lev. 23:10-12; 1 Cor. 15:20).
Fifty days later, inclusive reckoning, came
Pentecost. Christ had appeared to His
disciples during forty days following the
resurrection, then ascended to heaven.
Therefore ten days elapsed after the ascen-
sion until the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit, which the believers spent in prayer
and heart searching.
"Hell." The Greek is
hades,
the "place
of the dead," and should be translated, in
reference to Peter's usage, "grave,"
The Coming of the Spirit
1.
How close was the fellowship
of the disciples on the Day of Pente-
cost, A.D. 31? Acts 2:1.
2.
How did the Holy Spirit mani-
fest His coming? Acts 2:2, 3.
NoTE.—(a) The sounding of a mighty
wind;
(b)
the filling of all the house with
the Presence;
(c)
distributing tongues of
fire to each disciple;
(d)
speaking with
tongues by the disciples.
3.
With what spiritual gift did the
Holy Spirit endow the apostles? Acts
2:4. Compare 1 Cor. 12:28.
NoTE.—The gift was not a gift of hear-
ing, but a gift of tongues, useful in the
gospel ministry, and in contrast to any un-
intelligible babbling. See 1 Cor. 14:1-30.
"Every known tongue was represented by
those assembled. This diversity of lan-
guages would have been a great hindrance
to the proclamation of the gospel; God
therefore in a miraculous manner supplied
the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy
Spirit did for them that which they could
not have accomplished for themselves in a
lifetime. They could now proclaim the
truths of the gospel abroad, speaking with
accuracy the languages of those for whom
they were laboring. This miraculous gift
was a strong evidence to the world that
their commission bore the signet of Heaven.
From this time forth the language of the
disciples was pure, simple, and accurate,
whether they spoke in their native tongue
or in a foreign language."—The
Acts of
the Apostles,
pages 39, 40.
4.
From what distant lands were
the Jews then assembled in Jerusa-
lem? Acts 2:6-12.
NOTE.—"During the dispersion, the Jews
had been scattered to almost every part of
the inhabited world, and in their exile they
had learned to speak various languages.
Many of these Jews were on this occasion,
in Jerusalem, attending the religious festi-
vals then in progress."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 39.
Peter's Defense
5.
How did Peter show that the
disciples' activity was due to the Spirit
and not to intoxication? Acts 2:15,
16. Compare Eph. 5:18.
NoTE.—The Jews in the time of Christ
reckoned the hours separately for day and
night, counting twelve hours to the day be-
ginning at sunrise, and the same number
for the night beginning at sunset. See
Matthew 20:3-9; John 1:39; 4:6, 52; Acts
23:23. The "third hour" of the day cor-
responded to about 9 a.m. in modern reck-
oning.
6.
What Old Testament prophecy
foretold the outpouring of the Spirit?
Acts 2:17, 18. Compare Joel 2:28, 29.
7.
Whom did Peter blame for the
crucifixion of his miracle-working
Lord? Acts 2:22, 23.
[
8
]
PETER AND PENTECOST: Fl FTY
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ROM DENIAL TO AFFIRMATION.
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8.
Why could not Christ be held
in death? Acts 2:24.
Nom—The mystery of Christ's resur-
rection cannot be explained by human
reasoning. "When the voice of the mighty
angel was heard at Christ's tomb, saying,
Thy Father calls Thee, the Saviour came
forth from the grave by the life that was
in Himself. Now was proved the truth
of His words, 'I lay down My life, that
I might take it again. . . . I have power
to lay it down, and I have power to take
it again.' Now was fulfilled the prophecy
He had spoken to the priests and rulers,
`Destroy this temple, 'and in three days I
will raise it up.' John 10:17, 18; 2:19."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 785.
Christ was sinless, and therefore could
not be held in death. Romans 6:23 ; Luke
23:4, 14; John 19:4, 6; 1 Peter 2:22.
"Could one sin have been found in Christ,
had He in one particular yielded to Satan
to escape the terrible torture, the enemy of
God and man would have triumphed.
Christ bowed His head and died, but He
held fast His faith and His submission to
God."—Ibid.,
p. 761.
9.
What scriptures did Peter quote
to show that Christ could not re-
main in the tomb? Acts 2:25-28% 30-
32. Compare Ps. 16:8-11.
NOTE.—"Peter
did not refer to the teach-
ings of Christ to prove his position, because
he knew that the prejudice of his hearers
was so great that his words on this sub-
ject would be of no effect. Instead, he
spoke to them of David, who was regarded
by the Jews as one of the patriarchs of
their nation."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 41.
10.
What is the evidence that the
psalmist was not speaking of himself?
Acts 2:29, 34.
11.
How does Peter associate the
outpouring of the Spirit with Christ's
enthronement at the right hand of the
Father? Acts 2:33-36.
NoTE.—"Christ's ascension to heaven was
the signal that His followers were to re-
ceive the promised blessing. For this they
were to wait before they entered upon
their work. When Christ passed within the
heavenly gates, He was enthroned amidst
the adoration of the angels. As soon as this
ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit
descended upon the disciples in rich cur-
rents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even
with the glory which He had with the
Father from all eternity. The Pentecostal
outpouring was Heaven's communication
that the Redeemer's inauguration was ac-
complished. According to His promise He
had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to
His followers, as a token that He had, as
priest and king, received all authority in
heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed
One over His people."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
pages 38, 39.
The Way of Salvation
12.
How 'did this Spirit-filled ser-
mon affect the hearers? Acts 2:37.
•
NoTE.—"Now they heard the disciples
declaring that it was the Son of God who
had been crucified. Priests and rulers
9
trembled. Conviction and anguish seized
the people. . . . Among those who lis-
tened to the disciples were devout Jews,
who were sincere in their belief. The
power that accompanied the words of the
speaker convinced them that Jesus was in-
deed the Messiah."—The
Acts of the Apos-
tles,
page 43.
13. What progressive steps in sal-
vation did Peter describe'for the con-
science-stricken Jews? With what re-
sult? Acts 2:38-41, 47, last part.
NOTE.—The steps outlined by Peter were
(a) repentance, that is, a change of mind
in respect to one's past way of life, 2 Co-
rinthians 7:9-11;
(b)
baptism, that is, im-
mersion as a symbol of the washing away
of sins and arising to newness of life, Ro-
mans 6:3-7;
(c)
receiving the gift of the
Holy Spirit as a necessity in the Christian
experience, Romans 8:11, 14.
The Progress of the Church
14.
What acts of faithfulness and
devotion characterized the church af-
ter Pentecost? Acts 2:42, 43, 46, 47.
NoTE.—(a) Following the apostles' teach-
ing;
(b)
entering into godly fellowship;
(c)
partaking of the Lord's Supper at frequent
opportunities;
(d)
giving praise to God;
(e)
continuing steadfast;
(f)
doing "won-
ders and signs."
15.
How did the infant church pro-
vide for the needy believers? Acts 2:
44, 45.
NorE.—"Many of these early believers
were immediately cut off from family and
friends by the zealous bigotry of the Jews,
and it was necessary to provide them with
food and shelter. . . . Those among the
believers who had money and possessions,
cheerfully sacrificed them to meet the
emergency."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 70.
Lesson 3, for April 20, 1957
The Healing of the Lame Man
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts
3.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Repent ye therefore,
and be
converted, that your sins
may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord." Acts 3:19.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages
57-62; Lesson Help in the "Re-
view and Herald" of April 4; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
Acts, chapter 3.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General
survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-13.
❑
Sunday: Questions
1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday:
Questions 8-10.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To help us to learn more of the power of the Holy Spirit
in healing men's bodies and souls, to find a renewed faith
in the coming of
"the times of restitution," and to experience the needful preparation of heart.
[10]
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Circumstances of the Healing
1.
Peter and John go to worship in
the temple. Acts 3:1, 2.
2.
Peter heals in the name of Jesus.
Acts 3:3-6.
3.
The healed man worships in the
temple. Acts 3:8, 9.
II. The Effect of the Miracle
4.
An event known to all. Acts
3:10, 11.
5.
Christ the healer. Acts 3:12, 13, 16.
III. The Privilege of the Gospel
6. The Jews crucified Christ. Acts
3:14, 15.
7.
Christ as Saviour, man's only
hope. Acts 3:17-19, first part.
8.
Christ portrayed as the suffering
Sin Bearer. Acts 3:18, 22-24.
9.
Preparation for the times of
restitution. Acts 3:19-21.
10.
Christ is Mediator and heavenly
Priest. Acts 3 :21.
IV. The Covenant Promises
11.
The Hebrews a privileged people.
Acts 3:25, first part.
12.
Christ and the Abrahamic
promise. Acts 3:25, last part.
13.
The gospel and the Jews. Acts
3:26.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
"They brought daily to the
Beautiful gate of the temple a lame beggar,
who asked alms of all that entered (vers. 2,
3). What a striking contrast is here !-the
large, strong, handsome gate, wrought by
the most skillful workmen, intended to
add beauty and attractiveness to the mag-
nificent temple, an object of keen, universal
admiration; and, laid down at the foot of
it, a poor, ill-clad, deformed, helpless beg-
gar, fain to find a miserable existence by
asking the pity of all that passed through.
Such contrasts has sin introduced into this
world."-The
Pulpit Commentary,
Acts,
vol. 1, p. 98.
Places:
The "Beautiful Gate," and Solo-
mon's porch, of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Persons:
A lame man who had never
walked; John; Peter, again a spokesman.
The Circumstances of the Healing
1. Where, and why, were Peter
and John still worshiping when the
lame man was healed? Acts
3:1, 2.
Nora.-The "temple" was not a syna-
gogue, but the magnificent temple in Jeru-
salem begun by Herod the Great (John
2:20), around the remains of the temple
built by Zerubbabel 500 years before
(Ezra 5:2). The Christian Jews were dur-
ing the period of the book of Acts still
worshiping at the temple, as well as at-
tending Sabbath services in the synagogues
(Acts 15:19-21). This continued some
years after the typical forms of worship
had been rendered meaningless by Christ's
death on the cross. Compare Daniel 9:
24-27 and Matthew 27:50, 51.
2.
What reply did Peter make to
the lame beggar? What did he
have?
Acts 3:3-6.
NorE.-Natural gifts, education, and an
adequate budget are very good things to
use in the service of God. But there is one
basic essential; that is the personal posses-
sion, by the workers in the gospel, of Jesus
Christ the Son of God. When He is re-
ceived, every other needed gift is supplied.
3.
How did the man when healed
use his new-found physical powers?
Acts
3:8,
9.
HEALING : A PROOF OF THE
RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
The Effect of the Miracle
4.
How widely did this miracle be-
come known? Acts 3:10, 11.
5.
To whom did Peter give full
credit for what had happened? Acts
3:12, 13, 16. Compare John 15:5;
Phil. 4:13.
The Privilege of the Gospel
6.
Of what did Peter accuse the
Jews? Acts 3:14, 15. Compare Acts
2:23.
7.
What hope did Peter offer his
troubled listeners? Acts 3:17-19, first
part. Compare Acts 2:38.
8.
What had been prophesied con-
cerning Christ? Acts 3:18, 22-24.
Compare Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Zech.
13:6, 7.
9.
For what great event was the
repentance of guilty men to be a
preparation? Acts 3:19-21.
NOTE.—"The great work of the gospel is
not to close with less manifestation of the
power of God than marked its opening.
The prophecies which were fulfilled in the
outpouring of the former rain at the open-
ing of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in
the latter rain at its close. Here are 'the
times of refreshing' to which the apos-
tle Peter looked forward when he said: 'Re-
pent ye therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the
presence of the Lord; and He shall send
Jesus.'
"—The Great Controversy,
pages
611, 612.
"I saw that none could share the 're-
freshing,' unless they obtain the victory
over every besetment, over pride, selfish-
ness, love of the world, and over every
wrong word and action. We should, there-
fore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the
Lord, and be earnestly seeking that prepa-
ration necessary to enable us to stand in
the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all
remember that God is holy, and that none
but holy beings can ever dwell in His
presence."—Early
Writings,
page 71.
10.
From the time of the ascension
to the second advent, what position
does Christ occupy, and what ministry
does He perform? Acts 3:21; Heb. 9:
24. Compare Heb. 4:14-16; 5:5-10;
7:24 to 8:2; 1 Tim. 2:5.
The Covenant Promises
11.
What was to have been the
privileged position of the Hebrews?
Acts 3:25, first part. Compare Rom.
3:1-4.
12.
What promise to Abraham has
Christ fulfilled? Acts 3:25, last part.
[ 12 ]
13. To what people did the gospel
of the new covenant first come? Acts
3:26.
Compare Rom.
2:9, 10.
Nora.—"The
Jews stood forth distinct
from all other nations, professing allegiance
to God. They had been specially favored
by Him, and they laid claim to righteous-
ness above every other people. But they
were corrupted by the love of the world
and the greed of gain. They boasted of
their knowledge, but they were ignorant of
the requirements of God, and were full of
hypocrisy. Like the barren tree, they spread
their pretentious branches aloft, luxuriant
in appearance, and beautiful to the eye, but
they yielded 'nothing but leaves.' The
Jewish religion, with its magnificent tem-
ple, its sacred altars, its mitered priests
and impressive ceremonies, was indeed fair
in outward appearance, but humility, love,
and benevolence were lacking."—The
De-
sire of Ages,
pages 582, 583.
Lesson 4, for April 27, 1957
The First Persecution
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:1-33.
MEMORY VERSE: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts
4:12.
STUDY HELPS: "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 62-69; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of April 11; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
Acts, chapter 4.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-8.
❑
Tuesday: Questions
9-1 1 .
❑
Check Study
Wednesday: Questions 12-15.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: To understand how and why persecution comes, and to
share in the courage and devotion of those who have undergone it, and are
now undergoing it; to find Christ anew as the only means of salvation from sin.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
1. Opposition to the Gospel
1.
The apostles arrested. Acts 4:1-3.
2.
Many conversions secured. Acts
4:4.
3.
Commanded not to preach. Acts
4:5-7.
4.
The certainty of the healing.
Acts 4:14, 21 (last part), 22..
II. Steadfastness Under Persecution
5.
The Holy Ghost strengthened
Peter. Acts 4:8, first part.
6.
Christ did the healing. Acts 4:8-10.
7.
The guilt of the Jews. Acts 4:10,
11, 25-28.
HI. Christ the Only Saviour
8.
Only Christ can save. Acts 4:12.
9.
The disciples had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13.
[ 13 ]
IV. The Gospel Again Proclaimed
10.
Christ must be preached. Acts
4:18-20.
11.
Prayers for boldness in the gos-
pel. Acts 4:29, 30.
12.
Empowered for service. Acts 4:31.
13.
Unity in the church. Acts 4:32.
14.
The message of the resurrection.
Acts 4:33.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
The priests were angry
with the apostles for preaching. "The
ground of their grief was as much
the fact
that
they
should presume to instruct the
people, as
the matter
which they taught
them. They were offended that unlearned
Galileans, in no way connected with the
priestly office, and unauthorized by
them,
should presume to set themselves up as
religious teachers.
They
claimed the right
to watch over the interests of the people,
and to declare who was authorized to in-
struct the nation. It has been no unusual
thing for men in ecclesiastical stations to
take exceptions to the ministry of those who
have not been commissioned by themselves.
Men easily fancy that all power to instruct
others is lodged in their hands; and they
oppose others simply from the fact that
they have not derived their authority from
them. The true question in this case was,
whether these Galileans gave proof that
they were sent by God. The fact of the
miracle in this case should have been satis-
factory."—Albert Barnes,
Notes on the
Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 4:2.
Places:
The temple in Jerusalem; a
prison; the meeting place of the Jewish
Sanhedrin; the meeting place of the church.
Persons:
Annas and Caiaphas, before
whom Jesus had stood trial (John 18:13,
14) ; John and Alexander, Sadducees from
among the chief priests, and leaders in the
Sanhedrin; John the apostle, and Peter,
again a spokesman.
Interesting Terms:
"Sadducees," the lib-
erals among the Jews, with leanings to-
ward Greek culture, ready to compromise
with Rome and unwilling to believe in
supernatural beings, such as angels, nor in
the miraculous, and hence rejected the
resurrection. Acts 23:8.
"Captain of the temple." This officer
was chief of police of the temple guard,
probably a special company of the Levites.
Nehemiah (11:11) speaks of a "ruler of
the house of God."
Opposition to the Gospel
1.
Why were the apostles placed
under arrest? Acts 4:1-3.
2.
What results did God give to
the apostles' preaching? Acts 4:4.
3.
What did the leaders of the Jews
ask the apostles? Acts 4:5-7.
NorE.—The inquiry inferred that the
apostles may have performed their work
on the lame man by magic, much believed
in at that time, or through the power of
evil spirits. See Matthew 12:22-32. Hence
the demand for proof of the apostles' au-
thority. The hearing was before the San-
hedrin, the council of seventy, the highest
authority among the Jews, yet without
direct political control since the Romans
were ruling Palestine.
4.
What clear evidence was there
that the man had actually been healed?
Acts 4:14, 21 (last part), 22.
NorE.—The man had been healed in the
presence of a crowd of worshipers at the
temple gates. Acts 3:2. When he was
healed he leaped and hurried with shouts
of praise into the temple, and was seen by
many. Acts 3:7-10. At the hearing before
the Sanhedrin, the healed man was him-
self present, a visible proof of the miracle
that had been performed.
( 14
BIGOTED SADDUCEES OVERLOOK
A CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE.
2037-4
Steadfastness Under Persecution
5.
What was the source of Peter's
strength during this time of trial?
Acts 4:8, first part.
6.
To whom did the apostles give
the glory for the miracle of healing?
Acts 4:8-10.
NOTE.—"This courageous defense ap-
palled the Jewish leaders. They had sup-
posed that the disciples would be overcome
with fear and confusion when brought be-
fore the Sanhedrin. But instead, these wit-
nesses spoke as Christ had spoken, with a
convincing power that silenced their ad-
versaries. There was no trace of fear in
Peter's voice as he declared of Christ, 'This
is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of
the corner!"—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages 63, 64.
7.
With what crime did Peter
charge the Jewish leaders? Acts 4:10,
11, 25-28. Compare Acts 2:23; 3:
13-15.
Christ the Only Saviour
8.
What marvelous gospel truth
did Peter state? Acts 4:12.
NOTE.—"Like Nicodemus, we must be
willing to enter into life in the same way as
the chief of sinners. Than Christ, 'There is
none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved.'
Acts 4:12. Through faith we receive the
grace of God; but faith is not our Saviour.
It earns nothing. It is the hand by which
we lay hold upon Christ, and appropriate
His merits, the remedy for sin. And we
cannot even repent without the aid of the
Spirit of God. The Scripture says of Christ,
'Him bath God exalted with His right
hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to
give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness
of sins.' Acts .5:31. Repentance comes from
Christ as truly as does pardon.
"How, then, are we to be saved? 'As
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilder-
ness,' so the Son of man has been lifted up,
and everyone who has been deceived and
bitten by the serpent may look and live."
—The Desire of Ages,
page
175.
9.
What divine fellowship gave
boldness to the apostles? Acts 4:13.
The Gospel Again Proclaimed
10.
When ordered not to preach
Christ, what was the apostles' reply?
Acts 4:18-20.
NoTE.—"We are not required to defy
authorities. Our words, whether spoken
or written, should be carefully considered,
lest we place ourselves on record as utter-
ing that which would make us appear
antagonistic to law and order. We are not
to say or do anything that would unneces-
sarily close up our way. We are to go
forward in Christ's name, advocating the
truths committed to us. If we are for-
bidden by man to do this work, then we
may say, as did the apostles, 'Whether it
be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
For we cannot but speak the things which
we have seen and heard.'
"—The Acts of
the Apostles,
page 69.
[16
]
11: Instead of asking for their own bear witness? What attended their
safety; for what did the apostles pray? preaching? Acts 4:33.
Acts 4:29, 30.
NorE.—"Under their labors were added
to the church chosen men, who, receiving
answer these
the word of truth,-consecrated their lives
to the work of giving to others the hope
that filled their hearts with peace and joy.
They could not be restrained or intimidated
by threatenings. . .
"So mightily can God work when men
unity of the
give themselves up to the control of His
spiritual mat-
Spirit.
"The promise of the Holy Spirit is not
limited to any age or to any race. Christ
declared that the divine influence of His
Spirit was to be with His followers unto
the
end."—The Acts of the Apostles,
pages
14. To what event did the apostles
48, 49.
Lesson 5, for May 4, 1957
The Spirit of God at Work
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts
4:34
to
5:16.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto
the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 7; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of April
18;
. "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
Acts, chapters 4 and 5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check. Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey. 0
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
0
Sunday: Questions 1, 2.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Monday: Questions 3-7.
0
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8, 9.
0
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To show how dangerous it is to grieve the Holy Spirit;
and to teach that.even adverse circumstances can work to the glory of God.
12.
How did God
prayers? Acts 4:31.
13.
How was the
church manifested in
ters? Acts 4:32.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
1. Generosity in the Church
1. Generosity in caring for the needy.
Acts 4:34, 35.
2.
Contrast between Barnabas and
Ananias. Acts 4:36 to 5:2.
II. The Deceit and Punishment of
Ananias and Sapphira
3.
The extent of their falsehood. Acts
5:2-4.
[ 16 ]
4.
A lie to the Holy Spirit. Acts
5:3, 4, 9.
5.
Sapphira equally guilty with
Ananias. Acts 5:7-9.
6.
Punishment by death. Acts 5:5, 6,
9, 10.
7.
Justifiable fear. Acts 5:11, first
part.
III. The Effect Upon Church and Public
8.
A wholesome respect for the
church and its work. Acts 5:11,
13, last part.
9.
Protected from insincerity. Acts
5:13, first part.
IV.
The Gospel Proclaimed
10.
Preaching at the temple. Acts
5:12, last part.
11.
Miracles wrought. Acts 5:12,
first part.
12.
The well-to-do and poor healed.
Acts 5:15, 16.
13.
Many believers added. Acts 5:14.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
"The converts to the gos-
pel were 'of one heart and of one soul.' One
common interest controlled them,—the suc-
cess of the mission entrusted to them; and
covetousness had no place in their lives.
Their love of their brethren and the cause
they had espoused, was greater than their
love of money and possessions. Their works
testified that they accounted the souls of
men of higher value than earthly wealth.
"In sharp contrast to the example of
benevolence shown by the believers, was
the conduct of Ananias and Sapphira, whose
experience, traced by the pen of inspira-
tion, has left a dark stain upon the history
of the early church."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
pages 70, 71.
Places:
The meeting place of the church
in Jerusalem; the portico of Solomon at
the temple; the streets of the city.
Persons:
Joses Barnabas, a Jew of Cy-
prus and a Levite, a convert to Christ, and
future companion of Paul the apostle;
Ananias and Sapphire., husband-and wife
who died because of their hypocrisy and
deception; Peter; the multitude.
Generosity in the Church
1. In what way is the generosity of
the believers again referred to? Acts
4:34, 35. Compare 2 _Cor. 9:7.
NOTE.
-"It
would be improper to press
it
so as to
suppose that every individual
that became a Christian sold at once all
his property. The sense doubtless is, that
this was done
when it was necessary;
they
parted with whatever property was need-
ful to supply the wants of their poor
brethren. That it was by no means con-
sidered a matter of obligation, or en-
joined by the apostles, is apparent from
the case of Ananias. ch
. v. 4. The fact that
Joses
is particularly mentioned (ver. 36),
shows that it was by no means a universal
practice thus to part with all their posses-
sions. He was
one
instance in which it was
done. Perhaps there were many other simi-
lar instances; but all that the passage re-
quires us to believe is, that they parted
with whatever was
needful
to supply the
wants of the poor."—Albert Barnes,
Notes
on the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 4:34.
2. Contrast the character of Bar-
nabas with that of Ananias and Sap-
phira, as shown in their giving. Acts
4:36 to 5:2.
NoTE.—"Here we have the generous
sympathetic. Son of Consolation on the one
side, and here, too, we have a warning and
a type for all time that the tares must ever-
more be mingled with the wheat, the false
with the true, the hypocrites with real serv-
ants of God,_ even until the. final separa-
tion. The accidental division of the book
into chapters hinders casual readers from
noticing that the action of Ananias and his
wife is set by the writer over against that
of Barnabas. Barnabas sold .his estate and
brought the price, the whole price-, and
I II
surrendered it as an offering to the Church.
The spirit of enthusiastic giving was
abroad, and had seized upon the com-
munity; and Barnabas sympathized with
it."—The Expositor's Bible,
The Acts of the
Apostles, vol. 1, pp. 221, 222.
The Deceit and Punishment of
Ananias and Sapphira
3.
In what did Ananias and Sap-
phira's falsehood consist? Acts 5:2-4.
4.
To whom was their lie primarily
directed? Acts 5:3, 4, 9.
NoTE.—"God hates hypocrisy and false-
hood. Ananias and Sapphira practiced
fraud in their dealing with God; they lied
to the Holy Spirit, and their sin was
visited with swift and terrible judgment."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 72.
5.
Why was Sapphira punished?
Acts 5:7-9.
6.
What dire punishment fell upon
the guilty pair? Acts 5:5, 6, 9, 10.
Non--"Infinite Wisdom saw that this
signal manifestation of the wrath of God
was necessary to guard the young church
from becoming demoralized. Their num-
bers were rapidly increasing. The church
would have been endangered if, in the
rapid increase of converts, men and women
had been added who, while professing to
serve God, were worshiping mammon. This
judgment testified that men cannot de-
ceive God, that He detects the hidden sin
of the heart, and that He will not be
.mocked. It was designed as a warning to
the church, to lead them to avoid pretense
and hypocrisy, and to beware of robbing
God."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
73, 74.
7.
In what spirit did the church ac-
cept the judgment upon Ananias and
Sapphira? Acts 5:11, first part.
The Effect Upon Church and Public
8.
What was the effect upon the
church and the general public? Acts
5:11, 13, last part.
NorE.—"From the stern punishment
meted out to those perjurers, God would
have us learn also how deep is His hatred
and contempt for all hypocrisy and de-
ception. In pretending that they had given
all, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy
Spirit, and as a result, they lost this life
and the life that is to come. The same
God who punished them, today condemns
all falsehood. Lying lips are an abomina-
tion to Him. . . .
"In the case of Ananias and Sapphira,
the sin of fraud against God was speedily
punished. The same sin was often repeated
in the after-history of the church, and is
committed by many in our time. But
though it may not be attended by the visi-
ble manifestation of God's displeasure, it
is no less heinous in His sight now than in
the apostles' time. The warning has been
given; God has clearly manifested His ab-
[ 18 3
horrence of this sin; and all who give
themselves up to hypocrisy and covetous-
ness may be sure that they are destroying
their own souls."—The
Acts of the Apos-
tles,
pages 75, 76
9.
Who feared to be associated
with the apostolic company? Acts 5:
13, first part.
NoTE.—The "rest" may mean Jews in
some position of influence and leadership,
since the church held with the apostles;
and "the people," that is, the general Jew-
ish populace, were glad at hearing the
gospel message.
The Gospel Proclaimed
10.
At what place was the witness
of the apostles given? Acts 5:12, last
part.
11.
What occurred to increase the
interest and respect of the people?
Acts 5:12, first part.
12.
How extensive was the work
of healing? Acts 5:15, 16.
NoTE.—All classes
or
beneficiaries are in-
dicated here. The "beds" would be the
furniture of the well-to-do who were
healed. The "couches" were the less pre-
tentious pallets upon which the poor were
brought for healing.
13.
What was the result? Acts
5:14.
Norr.—"In Jerusalem, where the deep-
est prejudice existed, and where the most
confused ideas prevailed in regard to Him
who had been crucified as a malefactor,
the disciples continued to speak with bold-
ness the words of life, setting before the
Jews the work and mission of Christ, His
crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Priests and rulers heard with amazement
the clear, bold testimony of the apostles.
The power of the risen Saviour had indeed
fallen on the disciples, and their work was
accompanied by signs and miracles that
daily increased the number of believers.
Along the streets where the disciples were
to pass, the people laid their sick 'on beds
and couches, that at the least the shadow
of Peter passing by might overshadow
some of them.' Here also were brought
those vexed with unclean spirits. The
crowds gathered round them, and those
who were healed shouted the praises of
God, and glorified the name of the Re-
deemer."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
77, 78.
Lesson 6, for May 11, 1957
The Second Persecution
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts 5:16-40.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought
to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 8; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of April 25; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
Acts, chapter 5.
[ 19 ]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General
survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 13, 14.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-7.
0
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-12.
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To learn again the providences of God through His
angels, the privilege of witnessing for Christ, and the necessity of standing
firmly for the Lord, no matter how determined and powerful the opposition.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Apostles Imprisoned and
Delivered
1.
The arrest. Acts 5:16-18.
2.
Liberation by an angel. Acts 5:19.
3.
Preaching again at the temple.
Acts 5:20, 21, first part.
II. The Jewish Authorities Frustrated
4.
The Jewish leaders bewildered.
Acts 5:21 (last part), 22, 23, 25.
5.
The temple police cautious.
Acts 5:26.
6.
The accusations against the apos-
tles. Acts
5:27,
28.
7.
A fundamental principle of re-
ligious liberty. Acts 5:29.
III. Proclaiming the Gospel
8.
Peter's charge concerning the
crucifixion of Christ. Acts 5:30,
last part.
9.
The resurrection. Acts 5:30, first
part.
10.
Christ's saving grace. Acts 5:31.
11.
Witnessing for Christ. Acts 5:32,
first part.
12.
The blessing of the Holy Spirit
upon the obedient. Acts 5:32,
last part.
IV. The Apostles Set Free
13.
The counsel of Gamaliel. Acts
5:33-39.
14.
The scourging. Acts 5:40.
THE "LESSON
maliel, a leading Pharisee and great theo-
logian, teacher of
Paul
(Acts 22:3) ; the
apostles; Peter, again a spokesman.
Interesting Terms:
"Sect." The transla-
tion of a word meaning "choice," from
which the word "heresy" is also derived.
The word means a group holding a particu-
lar view or views, usually different from
that of the majority of the people. The
word is often used in contempt.
"Doubted." Better, "were in perplexity."
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
Following the death of--
Ananias and Sapphira there came great fear
on the church, and great power for public
witness. The latter aroused stubborn op-
position to truth on the part of the Jewish
leaders. This gave opportunity for God
to send angel intervention. This lesson
reveals the courage and resolution of the
apostles, who are obligated to preach the
gospel, no matter how stern the forbiddings.
Obedience to God must take precedence.
A Jewish philosopher arrives at a face-
saving compromise.
Places:
The meeting place of the San-
hedrin in Jerusalem; a prison; the porti-
coes of the temple.
Persons:
An angel; the high priest; the
Sadducees; the captain of the temple; Ga-
[ 20
The Apostles Imprisoned
and Delivered
1. What happened to the apostles
because of previous remarkable oc-
currences? Acts 5:16-18.
2.
What divine agency came to the
apostles' rescue? Acts 5:19.
3.
Where were they directed to go,
and what were they to preach? Acts
5:20, 21, first part.
The Jewish Authorities Frustrated
4.
Not knowing that the apostles
were released from prison, what did
the Jewish leaders do? What were
they told? Acts 5:21 (last part), 22,
23, 25.
NorE.—"They [priests and rulers] were
aware that many who did not accept the
teachings of Christ were weary of the
arbitrary rule of the Jewish authorities,
and anxious for some change. The priests
feared that if these dissatisfied ones were
to accept the truths proclaimed by the
apostles, and were to acknowledge Jesus
as the Messiah, the anger of the entire
people would be raised against the religious
leaders, who would then be made to an-
swer for the murder of Christ. They de-
cided to take strong measures to prevent
this.
"When they sent for the prisoners to be
brought before them, great was their amaze-
ment at the word brought back, that the
prison doors were found to be securely
bolted, and the guard stationed before them,
but that the prisoners were nowhere to be
found."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
80, 81.
5.
Of what did the temple police
stand in fear? Acts 5:26.
NOTE.—"The people were favorable to
the apostles. If violence had been at-
tempted, or they had been taken in a cruel
and forcible manner, the consequence
would have been a tumult and bloodshed.
In this way, also, the apostles showed that
they were not disposed to excite tumult.
Opposition by them would have excited
commotion; and though
they
would have
been rescued, yet they resolved to show
that they were not obstinate, contuma-
cious, or rebellious, but were disposed, as
far as it could be done with a clear con-
science, to yield obedience to the laws of
the land."—Albert Barnes,
Notes on the
Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 5:26.
6.
Of what defiant acts did the
Jewish leaders accuse the apostles?
Acts 5:27, 282
NOTE.—"This, though not so designed,
was an honorable tribute to the zeal and
fidelity of the apostles. When Christians
are •arraigned or persecuted, it is well if
the only charge which their enemies can
bring against them, is that they have been
distinguished for zeal and success in propa-
gating their religion. See 1 Pet. iv. 16."—
Albert Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the
Apostles,
Acts 5:28.
The expression "bring this man's blood
upon us" has obvious reference not only to
Peter's repeated charge that the Jewish lead-
ers brought about Christ's death (Acts 2:23 ;
3:15; 4•:10), but also to their own assump-
tion of that blame at Christ's trial (Matt.
27:25).
7.
What great principle of reli-
gious liberty did the apostle Peter
then set forth? Acts 5:29.
[ 21 ]
NOTE.—"When in 1529 the German
princes assembled at the Diet of Spires,
there was presented the emperor's decree
restricting religious liberty, and prohibit-
ing all further dissemination of the re-
formed doctrines. It seemed that the hope
of the world was about to be crushed out.
Would the princes accept the decree?
Should the light of the gospel be shut out
from the multitude still in darkness?
Mighty issues for the world were at stake.
Those who had accepted the reformed
faith met together, and their unanimous
decision was, 'Let us reject this decree. In
matters of conscience the majority has no
power.'
"This principle we in our day are firmly
to maintain. The banner of truth and re-
ligious liberty held aloft by the founders
of the gospel church and by God's witnesses
during the centuries that have passed since
then, has, in this last conflict, been com-
mitted to our hands. The responsibility for
this great gift rests with those whom God
has blessed with a knowledge of His word."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 68, 69.
Proclaiming the Gospel
8.
With what offense did Peter
again charge the Jews? Acts 5:30,
last part. Compare Acts 2:23; 3:13-15;
4:10.
9.
Who raised Christ from the
dead? Acts 5:30, first part. Compare
Phil. 3:7-11.
10.
What gracious work was the
risen Saviour to accomplish? Acts
5:31.
NOTE.—" 'From the highest throne of
glory to the cross of deepest woe' he had
come; now he reascended from the grave
to the throne, to the seat of heavenly
power and blessedness. He has become an
enthroned Redeemer, a sovereign Saviour,
(1) occupying the foremost place in heav-
enly rank, (2) dispensing salvation to the
lost children of men, and (3) receiving the
willing homage, the affectionate service of
the multitude he has redeemed. What more
honorable, enviable, blessed position can
we conceive than that of One who, seated
in the very highest post of honor, is con-
ferring the best of all imaginable boons,
and is receiving, in return, the freest, rich-
est, most rejoicing worship and service of
his redeemed, both of those who are about
his person 'in the heavens,' and of those
also who are serving him and striving to
follow him below
?"—The Pulpit Com-
mentary,
Acts, vol. 1, pp. 167, 168.
11.
What divine and human wit-
nesses acclaim the merits of the glo-
rified Saviour? Acts 5:32, first part.
NoTE.—The Holy Spirit convicts men as
a divine witness (John 16:7-11). Under
the power of the Spirit, converted men be-
come in turn living witnesses of what the
Saviour of men can accomplish in human
hearts.
12.
What great blessing comes as
a result of obeying God? Acts 5:32,
last part.
NoTE.—"The descent of the Holy Ghost
to endow them with remarkable gifts (ch.
ii. 1-4) to awaken and convert such a mul-
titude (ch. ii. 41; iv. 4; v. 14) was an un-
answerable attestation of the truth of
these doctrines, and of the Christian reli-
gion. So manifest and decided was the
presence of God attending them, that they
could have no doubt that what they said
was true; and so open and public was this
attestation, that it was an evidence to all
the people of the truth of their doctrine."
—Albert Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the
Apostles,
Acts 5:32.
The Apostles Set. Free
13.
What was Gamaliel's argument
in favor of the apostles? Acts 5:33-39.
[ 22 ]
14. What mistreatment did the
apostles suffer as they were released?
Acts 5:40.
NOTE.-"When the Jews inflicted this
punishment [of scourging] the culprit was
tied to a pillar in the synagogue; the exe-
cutioner, armed with a scourge of three
distinct lashes, inflicted the punishment;
while an official standing by read selected
portions of the law between each stroke.
Thirteen strokes of the threefold scourge
was equivalent to the thirty-nine stripes.
This was the flogging the Apostles suffered
on this occasion."-The
Expositor's Bible,
The Acts of the Apostles, vol. 1, pp. 244,
245, footnote.
Lesson 7, for May 18, 1957
The Seven Deacons
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:41 to 6:8.
MEMORY VERSE: "Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. 14:40.
STUDY HELPS: "The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 9; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of May 2; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts,
chapters 5 and 6.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
❑
Wednesday: Questions 12-14.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 7-11.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: To explain the origin and function of the deacons, a
very important group in the organization of the church.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. Preaching the Gospel of Salvation
1.
The joy of witnessing. Acts 5:41.
2.
The message of the apostles. Acts
5:42.
II. The Care of the Needy
3.
The daily supply. Acts 6:1, last
part.
4.
Complaints against the Hebrew
Christians. Acts 6:1, first part.
5.
The Grecian widows neglected.
Acts 6:1, second part.
6.
The apostles decline to serve
tables. Acts 6:2, 4.
III. The Appointment of Seven Deacons
7.
Seven good men to be appointed.
Acts 6:2 (last part), 3.
8.
The qualification of the new of-
ficers. Acts 6:3.
9.
The choosing of the seven.
Acts 6:5.
10.
The office of deacon. Phil. 1:1;
1 Tim. 3:8.
11.
The ordination. Acts 6:6.
IV. The Advance of the Gospel
12.
The disciples increased. Acts
6:7, first part.
13.
Conversion of priests. Acts
6:7, last part.
14.
The character and work of
Stephen. Acts 6:8.
[ 23 ]
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
"The early church was
made up of many classes of people, of vari-
ous nationalities. At the time of the out-
pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost,
`there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under
heaven.' Among those of the Hebrew faith
who were gathered at Jerusalem, were
some commonly known as Grecians, be-
tween whom and the Jews of Palestine
there had long existed distrust and even
antagonism. . . .
"Thus it came to pass that as disciples
were multiplied, the enemy succeeded in
arousing the suspicions of some who had
formerly been in the habit of looking with
jealousy on their brethren in the faith, and
of finding fault with their spiritual lead-
ers; and so 'there arose a murmuring of
the Grecians against the Hebrews.' The
cause of complaint was an alleged neglect
of the Greek widows in the daily distribu-
tion of assistance. Any inequality would
have been contrary to the spirit of the
gospel, yet Satan had succeeded in arous-
ing suspicion. Prompt measures must now
be taken to remove all occasion for dis-
satisfaction, lest the enemy triumph in his
effort
to
bring about a division among the
believers."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
87, 88.
Places:
The temple; houses in the city;
the meeting place of the church; the places
where food and clothing were dispensed to
the believers.
Persons:
The Christian widows of Jews
of foreign extraction ("Grecians") ; the
Twelve; the seven deacons.
Interesting Terms:
,"Grecians" (or Hel-
lenists). Jews who were born and lived
outside of Palestine, called the "Disper-
sion," usually. Greek-speaking. "Proselyte."
Any Gentile converted to Judaism from a
heathen experience.
Preaching the Gospel of Salvation
1. What caused the liberated apos-
tles to rejoice? Acts 5:41.
NOTE.—"The emotion is probably, in one
sense, natural to all who have an intense
conviction of the Truth for which they suf-
fer. But in this case there was something
more. The Twelve could not fail to re-
member their Lord's beatitudes; and now,
for the first time, felt that they could 're-
joice and be exceeding glad' because they
were suffering as the prophets had suffered
before them (Matt. v. 11, 12). And they
were suffering for His name, . . for that
of the Master who had loved them and
whom they had learnt to
love."—Ellicott's
Commentary
on Acts 5:41.
2.
What message did the apostles
give, and where? Acts 5:42.
The Care of the Needy
3.
What is meant by "the daily
ministration"? Acts 6:1, last part.
Compare Acts 2:44, 45 and 4:34, 35.
NoTE.—Each day the poor came to be
served with the necessities of life which
the generosity of the believers made avail-
able to them.
4.
Who murmured, and against
whom were the complaints directed?
Acts 6:1, first part.
5.
What class of people in the,
church were being neglected? Acts
6:1, second part.
NOTE.—"In the -time Wheri
,
the gospel
was first preached,.. there
:
were two classes
of. Jews—those who remained in Palestine,
who used the Hebrew {Aramaic] language,
.etc., and. who were appr_pgeip,tely called
Hebrews;
and those
who ,Were; scattered
among the Gentiles, who spoke/the Greek
language, and
.
who used.. in ;their
t
synagogues
the Greek translation of the.OkliTestament,
[ 24 ]
DEACONS AS WELL AS APOSTLES
DO THE WORK OF THE LORD.
called the Septuagint. These were called
Hellenists,
or as it is
in
our translation,
Grecians.
Note, John vii. 35. These were
doubtless the persons mentioned here—not
those who were proselyted from Gentiles,
but those who were not natives of Judea,
who had come up to Jerusalem to attend
the great festivals of the Jews. See ch. ii, 5,
9-11. Dissensions would be very likely to
arise between these two classes of persons."
—Albert Barnes,
Notes on the Acts of the
Apostles,
Acts 6:1.
6.
What separation of work did
the apostles insist should be made
for them? Acts 6:2, 4.
The Appointment of Seven
Deacons
7.
What suggestion was made to
the church? What were the new of-
ficers to do? Acts 6:2 (last part), 3.
NOTE.—By "tables" is to be understood
the business of distribution of the clothing
and food that were dispensed daily to the
needy who came to be served. The apostles
came to realize that with the gifts of the
Spirit vouchsafed to them, and the weight
of the responsibility of the gospel of salva-
tion resting heavily upon them, they should
not be busied with routine work which
any honest, dependable individual could
perform as well as they.
8.
What qualifications were the
new officers to possess? Acts 6:3; 1
Tim. 3:8-13.
NoTE.—The deacons were to have the
kind of equipment that the church should
always expect of its officers. The deacons
were to be (1) honest,
(2)
filled with the
Holy Spirit, (3) wise, of good common
sense.
9.
Who were appointed? Who
did the choosing? Acts 6:5.
NOTE.—All
of the seven bore Greek
names, suggesting that they were Grecians,
or Hellenistic Jews, in a position to deal
sympathetically with those who had been
neglected. At least one of the seven was
a proselyte, a Gentile who had been con-
verted from paganism to Judaism. "The
whole multitude" did the choosing or elect-
ing.
10.
What name was given to these
new officers? Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8.
NoTE.—The Greek word
diakonos
("dea-
con") means "minister" in the sense of
"servant."
11.
How were the deacons set
apart for their work? Acts 6:6.
NOTE.—"The
ceremony of the laying on
of hands added no new grace or virtual
qualification. It was an acknowledged
form of designation to an appointed office,
and a recognition of one's authority in
that office. By it the seal of the church
was set upon the work of God."—The
Acts
of the Apostles,
pages 161, 162.
The Advance of the Gospel
12.
What great progress in the gos-
pel proclamation was now seen? Acts
6:7,
first part.
[ 25 ]
13.
From what Jewish group did
many now accept the gospel? Acts 6:
7, last part.
Nora.—It is significant that a large num-
ber of Jewish priests now came to under-
stand the mediatorial work of the great
High Priest and accept Him as their per-
sonal Saviour.
14.
What spiritual qualifications
did Stephen possess? What resulted
from his work? Acts 6:8.
NorE.—The stoning of Stephen, about to
take place, marks the end of the seventy
weeks of Daniel 9:24-27. Christ, our High
Priest, had begun His work in the heav-
enly sanctuary. "God's servants receive no
honor or recognition from the world. Stephen
was stoned because he preached Christ and
Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten,
stoned, and finally put to death, because he
was a faithful messenger of God to the
Gentiles. The apostle John was banished
to the Isle of Patmos, 'for the word of
God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ.' These examples of human stead-
fastness in the might of divine power, are
a witness to the world of the faithfulness
of God's promises, of His abiding presence
and sustaining
grace."—Gospel Workers,
page 18.
Lesson 8, for May 25, 1957
The Third Persecution; The Martyrdom of Stephen
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts 6:9 to 8:2.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man stand-
ing on the right hand of God." Acts 7:56.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 10; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of May 9; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts,
chapters 6 and 7.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check
Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-7.
Tuesday: Questions 8-11.
Check
Study
Wednesday: Questions 12-14.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To review through Stephen's speech the foreshadowing
of the gospel in the Old Testament, and to observe Stephen's personal piety
and devotion, and his faithfulness unto death.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. Stephen's Evangelism and Arrest
1. Stephen and the foreign syna-
gogues. Acts 6:9.
2.
False charges laid against Stephen.
Acts 6:11, 13, 14.
3.
A timely message for
A.D.
34.
Acts 6:13.
4.
Stephen's radiant face. Acts
6:12, 15.
[ 26 ]
IL The Hebrew Background of the
Gospel
5.
The promises to Abraham. Acts
7:2-5.
6.
The departure to Egypt. Acts 7:
6-16.
7.
Moses and the Exodus. Acts
7:17-36.
8.
Rebellion against Moses. Acts
7:35-39.
9.
Rebellion in the wilderness. Acts
7:40-42.
10.
The purpose of tabernacle and
temple. Acts 7:43-50.
11.
Stephen's charge against the Jews.
Acts 7:51-53.
Ill. The Vision and Death of Stephen
12.
Christ at God's right hand. Acts
7:55, 56.
13.
The stoning of Stephen. Acts
7:57-60; 8:2.
14.
Bitter persecution under Saul of
Tarsus. Acts 7:58; 8:1.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
"Because the priests and
rulers could not prevail against the clear,
calm wisdom of Stephen, they determined
to make an example of him ; and while
thus satisfying their revengeful hatred, they
would prevent others, through fear, from
adopting his belief. Witnesses were hired to
bear false testimony that they had heard
him speak blasphemous words against the
temple and the
law."—The Acts of the
Apostles,
pages 98, 99.
Places:
Synagogues of the dispersed Jews,
in Jerusalem; the council chamber of the
Sanhedrin; a place of stoning outside Jeru-
salem.
Persons:
Hellenistic Jews; Stephen; the
high priest; Saul of Tarsus, later called
Paul the apostle.
Interesting Terms:
"Suborn." The word
means literally to provide or procure, but
always in a bad sense. In connection with
legal action "suborn" means to provide
witnesses who will swear falsely.
Stephen's Evangelism and Arrest
1.
In what synagogues of foreign
Jews did Stephen especially present
the gospel? Acts 6:9.
NOTE.—"Though a Jew by birth, he
[Stephen] spoke the Greek language, and
was familiar with the customs and' man-
ners of the Greeks. He therefore found
opportunity to preach the gospel in the
synagogues of the Greek
Jews."—The Acts
of the Apostles,
page 97.
2. What serious charges were laid
against Stephen? Acts 6:11, 13, 14.
Compare Matt. 26:59-61.
NOTE.—"We need not doubt that these
Hellenistic Jews had a very strong and
ardent attachment to the Law of Moses,
and that their dread and dislike of Ste-
phen's teaching arose from their apprehen-
sion that Christian' doctrine was in its na-
ture destructive of their own tenets. But
if their attachment to the Law of Moses
had been intelligent and pure, they would
have welcomed the gospel of Christ as be-
ing the fulfillment of the Law. If they had
been actuated by a holy love of God's
truth, they would not have sought to up-
hold the mosaic institutions by violence,
by injustice, and by fraud."—The
Pulpit
Commentary,
Acts, vol. 1, p. 196.
"On several occasions, they had bribed
the Roman authorities to pass over with-
out comment instances where the Jews had
taken the law into their own hands, and
had tried, condemned, and executed pris-
oners in accordance with their national
custom. The enemies of Stephen did not
doubt that they could again pursue such
a course without danger to themselves.
They determined to risk the consequences,
and therefore seized Stephen, and brought
him before the Sanhedrin council for
trial."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 98.
[27
1
EVEN"
THE FACE
OF
y,
AN ANGEL"
DOES NOT'
STOP WICKED MEN.
3.
What particularly timely gos-
pel truth might Stephen well have
been presenting? Acts 6:13.
NOTE.—"Since the whole ritual economy
was symbolical of Christ, it had no value
apart from Him. When the Jews sealed
their rejection of Christ by delivering Him
to death, they rejected all that gave sig-
nificance to the temple and its services. Its
sacredness had departed. It was doomed to
destruction. From that day sacrificial offer-
ings and the service connected with them
were meaningless. Like the offering of
Cain, they did not express faith in the Sav-
iour. In putting Christ to death, the Jews
virtually destroyed their temple."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 165.
4.
What was unusual about Ste-
phen when he was brought under ar-
rest before the Jewish council? Acts
6:12, 15.
The Hebrew Background of
the Gospel
5.
How did Stephen show that
the promises to Abraham were not
fulfilled in the patriarch's day? Acts
7:2-5.
6.
What caused the early Hebrews
to leave the Land of Promise to go to
Egypt? Acts 7:6-16.
7.
By what miracles and under
what leadership did God lead the
Hebrews back to the Promised Land?
Acts 7:17-36.
8.
How nearly did the Hebrews
come to rejecting Moses, their God-
appointed leader? Acts 7:35-39.
NOTE.—" 'Had ye believed Moses,' said
Jesus, 'ye would have believed Me: for he
wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his
writings, how shall ye believe My words?'
It was Christ who had spoken to Israel
through Moses. If they had listened to the
divine voice that spoke through their great
leader, they would have recognized it in
the teachings of Christ. Had they believed
Moses, they would have believed Him of
whom Moses wrote."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 213.
9.
How far did the Hebrews go in
disobedience while still in the wilder-
ness? Acts 7:40-42.
10.
In view of the fact that the
infinite God cannot be contained in
man-made temples, what was the-pur-
pose of the tabernacle and later of
the temple? Acts 7:43-50. Co pare
John 4:20-24; Heb. 8:2; 9:2,
NoTE.—"As referring 'to the'teiiiple'
.
at
Jerusalem, the Saviour's words, 'Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will raise
it up,' had a deeper meaning than the
hearers perceived. Christ was the founda-
tion and life of the temple. Its .services
were typical, of the.sacrifice of the, Sop. of
[ 28 ]
God. The priesthood was established to
represent the mediatorial character and
work of Christ. The entire plan of sacri-
ficial worship was a foreshadowing of -the
Saviour's death to redeem the world. There
would be no efficacy in these offerings
when the great event toward which they
had pointed for ages was consummated."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 165.
11.
What bitter charge did Stephen
make concerning the Jews' current
disobedience? Acts 7:51-53. Compare
Acts 2:22, 23; 3:13-15; 4:10, 11; 5:30.
The Vision and Death of Stephen
12.
What is the significance of the
vision Stephen had, in view of Christ's
ministry in the heavenly sanctuary,
and the close of the seventy-week
period? Acts 7:55, 56; Dan. 9:24-27.
NoTE.—"By virtue of His [Christ's]
death and resurrection He became the min-
ister of the 'true tabernacle, which the
Lord pitched, and not man.' Heb. 8:2. Men
reared the Jewish tabernacle; men builded
the Jewish temple; but the sanctuary
above, of which the earthly was a type,
was built by no human architect. 'Behold
the Man whose name is The Branch ; . . .
He shall build the temple of the Lord; and
He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and
rule upon His throne; and He shall be a
priest upon His throne
.
: Zech. 6:12, 13.
"The sacrificial service that had pointed
to Christ passed away; but the eyes of
men were turned to the true sacrifice for
the sins of the world. The earthly priest-
hood ceased; but we look to Jesus, the
minister of the new covenant, and 'to the
blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better
things than that of Abel.'
"—The Desire of
Ages,
pages 165, 166.
"The commandment to restore and build
Jerusalem, as completed by the decree of
Artaxerxes Longimanus (see Ezra 6:14;
7:1, 9, margin), went into effect in the
autumn of B.c. 457. From this time four
hundred and eighty-three years extend to
the autumn of A.D. 27. According to the
prophecy, this period was to reach to the
Messiah, the Anointed One. In A.D. 27,
Jesus at His baptism received the anoint-
ing of the Holy Spirit, and soon afterward
began His ministry. Then the message was
proclaimed, 'The time is fulfilled.' . . .
"The one week—seven years—ended in
A.D. 34. Then by the stoning of Stephen the
Jews finally sealed their rejection of the
gospel; the disciples who were scattered
abroad by persecution 'went everywhere
preaching the word' (Acts 8:4) ; and
shortly after, Saul the persecutor was con-
verted, and became Paul, the apostle to the
Gentiles."—Ibid., p. 233.
13.
How did Stephen die? Acts 7:
57-60; 8:2.
NOTE.—Technically the Jews had no le-
gal right, as a subjugated nation, to put a
man to death. It is possible that the Ro-
man governor's absence from the city gave
them their opportunity. Stoning was a He-
brew form of punishment, crucifixion a Ro-
man method. Stephen, whose name in the
Greek means "crown of victory," was the
first Christian martyr whose name has come
down to us.
14.
What trying experience now
came to the church, and who was pri-
marily responsible for this persecu-
tion? Acts 7:58; 8:1.
NOTE.—"After the death of Stephen,
Saul was elected a member of the San-
hedrin council, in consideration of the
-
part
he had acted on that occasion. For a time
he was a mighty instrument in the hands
of Satan to carry out his rebellion against
the Son of God. But soon this relentless
persecutor was to be employed in building
up the church that he was now tearing
down. A Mightier than Satan had chosen
Saul to take the place of the martyred
Stephen, to preach and suffer for His name,
and to spread far and wide the tidings of
salvation through His blood."—The
Acts
of the Apostles,
page 102.
[29
]
Lesson 9, for June 1, 1957
Missionary Expansion: From Judea to Samaria
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Acts 8:3-40.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scrip-
ture, and preached unto him Jesus." Acts 8:35.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 11; Lesson Help in the "Review
and Herald" of May 16; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
Acts, chapter 8.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions
11-15.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-5.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 6, 7.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON: To
show the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing the
gospel to whole communities, and to truth-seeking individuals.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Persecution
1.
Saul still the persecutor. Acts 8:3.
2.
The church active during persecu-
tion. Acts 8:4, 1.
II. Philip the Deacon in Samaria
3.
Philip goes to Samaria. Acts 8:5.
4.
The success of the gospel. Acts
8:6-8, 12.
5.
Peter and John help Philip. Acts
8:14,15.
III. The Holy Spirit Upon the Converts
6. The Holy Spirit not yet received.
Acts 8:16.
7. The Spirit granted. Acts 8:17.
IV. Simon the Sorcerer
8. The reputation of Simon. Acts
8:9-11.
9. Simon's good intentions. Acts
8:13.
10. The sin of simony. Acts 8:18-24.
V. Philip in the Desert
11. Peter, John, and Philip separate.
Acts 8:25, 26.
12. Philip meets the Ethiopian.
Acts 8;27, 28.
13. The Ethiopian instructed.
Acts 8:29-35.
14. The Ethiopian baptized. Acts
8:36-38.
15. Philip removed to Azotus. Acts
8:39, 40.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
The Philip in this lesson is
not Philip the apostle, but the deacon
turned evangelist. He went up from Jeru-
salem to Samaria, where he preached with
great success, then was led of the Spirit to
the wilderness region near Gaza, where he
was instrumental in winning the Ethiopian
eunuch to the gospel. We have seen the
1 30
gospel preached in Jerusalem and Judea.
It now moves into a wider circle. Acts 1:8.
Places:
Either Sebaste or Sychar in Sa-
maria; the wilderness near Gaza; Azotus,
the ancient Ashdod; Caesarea.
Persons:
Saul of Tarsus; Philip the dea-
con; Simon the sorcerer; John and Peter;
the Ethiopian eunuch.
The Persecution
1.
With what baneful work did
Saul of Tarsus continue to busy him-
self after the stoning of Stephen?
Acts 8:3.
NOTE.—"It may be remarked here that
there never was a persecution commenced
with more flattering prospects to the per-
secutors. Saul, the principal agent, was
young, zealous, learned, and clothed with
power. He showed afterwards that he had
talents fitted for any station; and zeal that
tired with no exertion, and that was ap-
palled by no obstacle. With this talent he
entered on his work. Christians were few
and feeble. They were scattered and un-
armed. They were unprotected by any
civil power, and exposed, therefore, to the
full blaze and rage of persecution. That
the church was not destroyed, was owing
to the protection of God—a protection
that not only secured its existence, but
which extended its influence and power by
means of this very persecution far abroad
on the earth."—Albert Barnes,
Notes on
the Acts of the Apostles,
Acts 8:3.
2.
What was the church doing?
Where did the apostles remain in
spite of danger? Acts 8:4, 1.
NoTE.—"When they were scattered by
persecution, they went forth filled with
missionary zeal. They realized the responsi-
bility of their mission. They knew that
they held in their hands the bread of life
for a famishing world; and they were con-
strained by the love of Christ to break this
bread to all who were in need. The Lord
wrought through them. Wherever they
went, the sick were healed, and the poor
had the gospel preached unto them."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 106.
Philip the Deacon in Samaria
3.
When Philip the deacon went
out from Jerusalem as an evangelist,
where did he go, and for what pur-
pose? Acts
8:5.
NoTE.—The ancient city of Samaria had
been completely destroyed about 70 B.c.,
and on its site many years later Herod the
Great built another town, which he called
Sebaste (Augustus) in honor of the Roman
emperor Caesar Augustus. Either this city,
or nearby Sychar, where Jesus had planted
the gospel truth (John 4:5-8, 39-42), is in-
tended in Acts 8:5.
4.
What results attended the preach-
ing of the gospel by Philip? Acts 8:
6-8, 12.
5.
Who were sent to help Philip
from the general headquarters at Je-
rusalem? What was their first con-
cern? Acts 8:14, 15.
The Holy Spirit Upon the Converts
6.
What had not yet happened to
the baptized believers? Acts 8:16.
7.
What great gift was now granted
to the converts, when apostolic hands
were laid upon them? Acts 8:17.
Simon the Sorcerer
8.
What distinguished man resided
in Samaria? What is said of his char-
[31]
POW
ANOTHER DEACON
WITNESSES FOR JESUS•
acter and activity? How did the peo-
ple regard him? Acts 8:9-11.
9.
How did Simon outwardly re-
spond to the gospel message? Acts
8:13.
10.
When he saw the Holy Spirit
given, how did Simon seek to secure
this power? Acts 8:18-24.
NOTE.—The name of Simon the sorcerer
has given us the word "simony," to describe
the crime of seeking church office by pay-
ing money as bribes, or by presenting gifts
or using undue influence. There is no in-
formation in the Bible that this Simon ever
found true repentance. Tradition main-
tains that he did not, but continued as an
enemy of the gospel messengers.
Philip in the Desert
11.
After preaching throughout all
Samaria, where did Peter and John
go? Where did the angel bid Philip
to go? Acts 8:25, 26.
NOTE.—"While Philip was still in Sa-
maria, he was directed by
a
heavenly mes-
senger to 'go toward the south unto the
way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza. . . . And he arose and went.' He
did not question the call, nor did he hesi-
tate to obey; for he had learned the lesson
of conformity to God's will."—The
Acts of
the Apostles,
page 107.
By the "desert" lying toward Gaza, we
are not to understand a sandy waste, ut a
sparsely populated region.
12.
Whom did Philip meet? Where
had the man been, and what was he
now doing? Acts 8:27, 28.
NOTE.—"This Ethiopian was a man of
good standing and of wide influence. God
saw that when converted, he would give
others the light he had received, and would
exert a strong influence in favor of the
gospel."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page
107.
13.
What did the Holy Spirit in-
struct Philip to do, and with what
result? Acts 8:29-35.
NoTE.—Philip must have spent some
time with the Ethiopian and instructed him
thoroughly in the gospel truths which he
did not already know from Judaism. No-
tice that Philip made Jesus Christ the cen-
ter of his instruction.
14.
What did the Ethiopian ask,
and how was the request granted?
Acts 8:36-38.
NoTE.—The baptism was, of course, by
immersion, as is clearly indicated in verse
38.
15.
Following the rite of baptism,
how were the two men parted? What
did each do? Acts 8:39, 40.
32
1
Lesson 10, for June 8, 1957
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts
9:1-31.
MEMORY VERSE:
"What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
Phil. 3:7.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapters 12 and 13; "Testimonies," vol.
3, pp. 429-433; "Gospel Workers," pp. 58-62; Lesson Help in the "Review and
Herald" of May 23; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts,
chapter 9.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 13-15.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-5.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 6-8.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 9-12.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To show the power of Christ in calling a man He needed,
in spite of human stubbornness, as well as the joy and peace that come from
a personal fellowship with one's Lord.
Lesson Outline:
8.
Saul appointed an apostle to the
Gentiles. Acts 9:15, 16.
The Setting of the Lesson
I. The Call of the Lord
1.
The commission of Saul against the
Christians. Acts 9:1, 2.
2.
Saul challenged by the call of
heaven. Acts 9:3, 4, first part.
3.
Jesus calls Saul. Acts 9:4 (last
part), 5.
4.
The effects of the heavenly visita-
tion. Acts 9:6 (first part), 7, 8.
5.
Saul's question and Christ's
answer. Acts 6, last part.
II. In Damascus
6.
Saul's blindness. Acts 9:9.
7.
Ananias sent to Saul's. aid. Acts
.
9:10-19, first part.
III. Growth in Grace
9.
Saul preaches in Damascus. Acts
9:18, 20.
10.
Saul in Arabia. Gal. 1:15-17.
11.
The gospel again in Damascus.
Acts 9:22.
12.
The Jews plot against Saul.
Acts 9:23-25.
IV. Sojourn in Jerusalem
13.
Saul's first visit as a Christian in
Jerusalem. Acts 9 :26-29 ; Gal.
1:18, 19.
14.
Saul goes to Caesarea. Acts 9:
29 (last part), 30.
15.
The church at peace. Acts 9:31.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
of the Lord Jesus Christ. On his way to
Damascus as a persecutor of the church he
Introduction:.
Beginning .with this lesson is challenged by Jesus Christ and_enjoys a
we see Saul of Tarsus as Paul the apostle thorough conversion. He spent some time
33 3
(The Acts of the Apostles,
page 125, says,
"for a time") in Arabia in communion with
God; then followed a successful evangelistic
career in his native province of Cilicia. In
succeeding years came Paul's fruitful three
missionary journeys with Antioch in Syria
as their center.
Places:
Jerusalem; Damascus; Arabia;
Tarsus in Cilicia.
Persons:
Saul of Tarsus; the high priest;
Jesus Christ; Ananias of Damascus; the
Holy Spirit; disciples of Damascus; Barna-
bas ; the apostles.
Interesting Terms:
"Breathing out." An
expression similar to "panting," indicating
Saul's zeal and wrath against the Christians.
"Brother." The term by which Ana-
nias addressed the converted Saul of Tar-
sus. This is the only individual title applied
to Christian men in the New Testament.
"Saints." Sanctified or dedicated ones,
a term applied to all the believers, as in
Romans 1:7. The word in the original
tongues is also translated "holy ones." The
expression does not imply actual sinless-
ness, but consecration.
The Call of the Lord
1.
What did Saul the persecutor
ask of the high priest, and with what
cruel. purpose? Acts 9:1, 2.
Nara.—"Saul was about to journey to
Damascus upon his own business; but he
was determined to accomplish a double
purpose, by searching out, as he went, all
the believers in Christ. For this purpose he
obtained letters from the high priest to
read in the synagogues, which authorized
him to seize all those who were suspected
of being believers in Jesus, and to send
them by messengers to Jerusalem, there to
be tried and punished."—E. G. White,
Sketches From the Life of Paul,
page 21.
2.
What occurred to Saul and his
companions as they approached Da-
mascus? Acts 9:3, 4, first part.
NOTE.—"It is evident that this revelation
Was not' merely an inward impression made
on the mind of Saul during a trance or
ecstasy. It was the direct perception of the
visible presence of Jesus Christ. This is
asserted in various passages, both positively
and incidentally. In his first letter to the
Corinthians, when he contends for the
validity of his own apostleship, his argu-
ment is, 'Am I not an apostle? Have I not
seen Jesus Christ, the Lord ?' [1 Cor. ix.
1]. And when he adduces the evidence for
the truth of the resurrection, his argument
is again, 'He was seen . . . by Cephas,
. . . by James, . . by all the Apostles,
. . . last of all by me, . . . as one born
out of due time' (xv. 8). By Cephas and
by James at Jerusalem the reality of Saul's
conversion was doubted (Acts ix. 27) ; but
`Barnabas brought him to the apostles,
and related to them how he had seen the
Lord in the way, and had spoken with
Him.'"—Conybeare and Howson,
The Life
and Epistles of St. Paul,
page 90.
3.
What did the voice from heaven
say? Who was the speaker? Acts 9:
4 (last part), 5.
NoTE.—"No doubt entered the mind of
Saul that the One who spoke to him was
Jesus of Nazareth, the long-looked-for
Messiah, the Consolation and Redeemer of
Israel."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page
117.
4.
What was the physical effect
upon the men with Saul, and upon
Saul himself? Acts 9:6 (first part),
7, 8.
NoTE.—In Acts 9:7 it says the men with
Saul heard the voice, but in Acts 22:9 it
says they did not hear the voice. The
word translated "voice" in both places is
the root word that appears in such Eng-
lish words as
telephone, dictaphone, pho-
netics,
etc. It was used for the sound of the
wind (John 3:8) and of the cry of animals,
and of the sounds of millstones, wings,
chariots, water, and musical instruments
(1 Cor. 14:8), and most commonly for the
human voice. As in both these accounts in
Acts it is dear that the sound of human
34 1
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IN THE ARABIAN DESERT SAUL LEARNED
HOW TO WITNESS FOR JESUS.
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d
'
M1
iF;
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n Ii
speech is referred to, the word "voice" was
quite properly used. However, if some-
one were speaking in another room, one
might either hear what was actually said,
or one might hear only sufficient to recog-
nize who was speaking. In such a case it
might truly be said that one
did
hear, and
that one
did not
hear. Thus in Acts 9 we
are told that the men recognized that the
sound they heard was human language,
and in Acts 22 we are told that they did
not understand the words of the voice that
was speaking.
5.
What did Saul ask? What in-
struction was given? Acts 9:6, last
part.
In Damascus
6.
How long did Saul remain
blind? In what circumstances? Acts
9:9.
NOTE.—"The
same reason, we may ven-
ture to think, which caused the interposi-
tion of three days' blindness between Saul's
conversion and his baptism, led Saul him-
self to pass those days in a voluntary self-
abasement. His sin in persecuting the
Church of God and its Divine Head, his
guilt in assisting at the death of God's
saints, and in rejecting the testimony to
Christ's resurrection, had been very great.
These three days of blindness and of fast-
ing were therefore a fitting preparation for
the grace of forgiveness about to be so
freely and fully given to him (1 Tim. i.
12-16). What thoughts must have passed
through Saul's mind during those three
days
l"—The Pulpit Commentary,
Acts,
vol. 1, p. 283.
7.
What message came to Ananias
in Damascus? What did he do? Acts
9:10-19, first part.
8.
What was Christ's plan for Saul?
Acts 9:15, 16.
Growth in Grace
9.
With sight restored, how did
Saul occupy himself in Damascus?
Acts 9:18, 20.
10.
Where did Saul next go? Gal.
1:15-17.
NOTE.—"While
in Arabia he did not
communicate with the apostles; he sought
God earnestly with all his heart, determin-
ing not to rest till he knew for a certainty
that his repentance was accepted, and his
great sin pardoned. He would not give up
the conflict until he had the assurance that
Jesus would be with him in his coming
ministry. He was ever to carry about with
him in the body the marks of Christ's
glory, in his eyes, which had been blinded
by the heavenly light, and he desired also
to bear with him constantly the assurance
of Christ's sustaining grace."--E. G. White,
Sketches From the Life of 'Paul,
page 34..
1.1. Upon his return to Damascus,
what did. Saul continue to do? Acts
9:22.
NoTE.—"God in His providence not only
Spared Saul's life, but converted him, thus
[36
1
transferring a champion from the side of
the enemy to the side of Christ. An elo-
quent speaker and a severe critic, Paul,
with his stern purpose and undaunted cour-
age, possessed the very qualifications needed
in the early church.
"As Paul preached Christ in Damascus,
all who heard him were amazed. . . . In
his presentation of the gospel, he sought to
make plain the prophecies relating to the
first advent of Christ. He showed con-
clusively that these prophecies had been
literally fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. The
foundation of his faith was the sure word
of prophecy."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages 124, 125.
12.
How did the Jews in Damascus
react to Saul's preaching? How was
Saul delivered from vicious foes? Acts
9:23-25.
Sojourn in Jerusalem
13.
Who stood guarantee for Saul
when he went to Jerusalem? What
did Saul do there? Acts 9:26-29; Gal.
1:18, 19.
NOTE.—"Barnabas,
who had liberally
contributed of his means to sustain the
cause of Christ, and to relieve the necessi-
ties of the poor, had been acquainted with
Paul when he opposed the believers. He
now came forward and renewed that ac-
quaintance, heard the testimony of Paul in
regard to his miraculous conversion, and
his experience from that time. He fully
believed and received Paul, took him by
the hand, and led him into the presence of
the apostles."—E. G. White,
Sketches From
the Life of Paul,
page 36.
14.
What did the apostles have
Saul do, and why? Acts 9:29 (last
part), 30.
15.
What was now the experience
of the church in Palestine? Acts 9:31.
NOTE.—"It is thought that the attention
of the Jews to the progress of the faith of
Jesus Christ was diverted at this time, and
their active hostility stayed, by the still
greater danger to the Jews' religion which
arose from [the Roman emperor] Caligula's
intention of placing a statue to himself as
a god in the holy of holies. Thus did God's
gracious providence intervene to give rest
to his harassed saints, and to build up his
Church in numbers, in holiness, and in
heavenly comfort."—The
Pulpit Commen-
tary,
Acts, vol. 1, p. 287.
Lesson 11, for June 15, 1957
The Ministry of Peter
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts 9:32 to 10:48.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Of a
truth I
perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in
every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted
with Him." Acts 10:34 (last part), 35.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 131-141
;
"The Ministry of Heal-
ing," pages 209-216; Lesson Help in the "Review and Herald" of May 30; "The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts, chapters 9 and 10.
[ 36 ]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-15.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-5.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 6, 7.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To see Peter as an agent of miracle-working power,
and a willing minister of the gospel to the Gentiles.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. Miracles of Healing
1.
Peter as an evangelist. Acts 9:32.
2.
The healing of Aeneas. Acts
9:33-35.
3.
Dorcas's service to the church.
Acts 9:36, 39.
4.
Peter's ministry to Dorcas. Acts
9 :37-41.
5.
The effect of the Dorcas miracle.
Acts 9:42.
II. The Calling of Cornelius
6.
The devout centurion. Acts 10:1,
2, 22.
7.
Instructions to Cornelius. Acts
10:3-8.
III.
The
Vision of Peter
8.
Peter's noontide prayer. Acts
10:9, 10, 17, 18.
9.
Peter's vision. Acts 10:11-16.
10.
Instructions of the Spirit to Peter.
Acts 10:19-24.
IV. The Baptism of Cornelius
11.
Peter meets the Gentile Cornelius.
Acts 10:25-28, first part.
12.
The lesson of Peter's vision. Acts
10:28, last part.
13.
Cornelius's preparation. Acts
10:34-37.
14.
The message of salvation.
Acts 10:38-43.
15.
The baptism.
a.
By the Holy Spirit. Acts
10:44-46.
b.
By water. Acts 10:47, 48.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
While Saul is doing a rou-
tine but useful work in Cilicia, gaining ex-
perience in evangelism (Gal. 1:21-24), the
record brings Peter again to the front, and
shows how the gospel spread through him
in the coastal regions. Two miracles are
described, and the account of the conver-
sion of Cornelius and his household is
given in full. Through an angel and a
vision Peter and Cornelius are brought to-
gether. Peter preaches the gospel, the hear-
ers receive the Holy Spirit, and Peter
administers baptism. This was a decisive
event, for, although Cornelius was "de-
vout," that is, a believer in the Jewish
faith, a "proselyte of the gate," he had not
yet been circumcised and therefore not
permitted in Jewish assemblies. Cornel-
ius's acceptance by the Holy Spirit therefore
set a precedent of the greatest importance
for later work among the Gentiles. The
supernatural is so much a part of the
events here that it becomes almost natural,
as should be the case with active, effective
Christians.
Places:
Lydda, the modern Lod, not far
inland from Joppa, on the edge of the
plain of Sharon, west of. Jerusalem; Joppa,
modern Jaffa, on the coast; Caesarea, a
busy city on the coast some thirty miles
north of Joppa, the seat of Roman pro-
vincial government; the ruins of the city
are only now being excavated.
[371
Persons:
Peter; Aeneas; Dorcas; Cor-
nelius, a centurion in the Italian cohort
garrisoned at Caesarea; an angel; the Holy
Spirit.
Interesting Terms:
"Centurion." A sub-
ordinate officer in the Roman army, com-
manding a hundred men, corresponding
to lieutenant, junior grade, or sergeant.
"Band." The Greek word so translated
indicates any unit of from 4,000 to 6,000
men.
"Housetop." The flat roof of a Syrian
house offered a place of family privacy,
away from the turmoil of the street. Fre-
quently a small room was built on the
housetop, and almost always there was a
canopy for shelter.
"Remission of sins." The "sending away"
of sin, that is, the separation of sin from
the sinner. Ps. 103:10-12.
Miracles of Healing
1.
On returning from helping
Philip in Samaria, how far did Peter
extend his evangelistic work? Acts
9:32.
2.
What gracious miracle did the
power of Christ perform through Pe-
ter at Lydda? Acts 9:33-35.
3.
What good work did Dorcas of
Joppa do in the church? Acts 9:36, 39.
NoTE.—"At Joppa, which was near
Lydda, there lived a woman named Dor-
cas, whose good deeds had made her
greatly beloved. She was a worthy disciple
of Jesus, and her life was filled with acts
of kindness. She knew who needed com-
fortable clothing and who needed sym-
pathy, and she freely ministered to the
poor and the sorrowful. Her skillful fin-
gers were more active than her tongue."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 131.
4.
What good work did the Spirit
of God do for Dorcas, through Peter?
Acts 9:37-41.
5.
What effect did this remarkable
occurrence have? Acts 9:42.
The Calling of Cornelius
6.
Who was Cornelius, and what
was his character and his relationship
to God? Acts 10:1, 2, 22.
7.
What instructions to Cornelius
were carried out, in compliance with
a vision he had from the Lord? Acts
10:3-8.
NOTE.—"The same Holy Watcher who
said of Abraham, 'I know him,' knew Cor-
nelius also, and sent a message direct from
heaven to him. . . .
"The explicitness of these directions, in
which was named even the occupation of
the man with whom Peter was staying,
shows that heaven is acquainted with the
history and business of men in every sta-
tion of life. God is familiar with the ex-
perience and work of the humble laborer,
as well as with that of the king upon his
throne."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
133, 134.
The Vision of Peter
8.
Where was Peter dwelling, and
what was he doing when Cornelius's
messengers reached him? Acts 10:9,
10, 17, 18.
Nom—There were two hours of prayer
for a devout Jewish community, when the
morning and evening sacrifices were offered
in Jerusalem. But for the devout man,
that was not enough. "Evening, and morn-
ing, and at noon, will I pray." Ps. 55:17.
Daniel "kneeled upon his knees three times
a day." Dan. 6:10.
9.
What vision did Peter have
while experiencing a noontide hun-
ger? Acts 10:11-16.
[38]
NorE.—"By the vision of the sheet and
its contents, let down from heaven, Peter
was to be divested of his settled prejudices
against the Gentiles; to understand that,
through Christ, heathen nations were made
partakers of the blessings and privileges of
the Jews, and were to be thus benefited
equally with them. Some have urged that
this vision was to signify that God had
removed His prohibition from the use of
the flesh of animals which He had formerly
pronounced unclean; and that therefore
swines' flesh was fit for food. This is a
very narrow, and altogether erroneous in-
terpretation, and is plainly contradicted in
the Scriptural account of the vision and its
consequences."—The
Spirit of Prophecy,
vol. 3, pp. 327, 328.
The meaning of the vision was not re-
specting unclean foods, but that no
man
should be called "common or unclean,"
verse 28.
10.
What did the Spirit of God bid
Peter do? How did Peter respond to
the messengers' request? Acts 10:
19-24.
The Baptism of Cornelius
11.
How did Cornelius greet Pe-
ter? What was Peter's problem in
associating with Cornelius? Acts 10:
25-28, first part.
12.
How did Peter apply the lesson
of his vision? Acts 10:28, last part.
NorE.—It was from man, and not from
food, that the stigma of "unclean" was to
be removed. Notice that the word here
translated "man" is of the broadest appli-
cation, meaning man as a race.
13.
What did Peter declare Cor-
nelius and his companions already
had heard? Acts 10:34-37.
NOTE.—"That word . . . ye know." Cor-
nelius and his household had learned not
only the truths of Judaism; they knew of
the message of John the Baptist, and the
work and preaching of Jesus Christ. There
would scarcely be anyone in Palestine who
had not heard these things.
14.
What message did Peter bring
to them? Acts 10:38-43.
NorE.—The "anointing" of Jesus was at
His baptism (Matt. 3:16, 17), when to the
accompaniment of a Voice from heaven,
the Spirit of God came afresh upon Jesus.
This endowment marked the initiation of
Christ's public ministry, at A.D. 27, begin-
ning the "week" (seven years) of the sev-
enty weeks of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:
24-27), which closed with the stoning of
Stephen.
Like Philip (Acts 8:35), Peter preached
Jesus.
15.
How did God indicate His ac-
ceptance of these Gentiles? What
did Peter do for them? Acts 10:44-48.
NOTE.—Again the Holy Spirit showed
His active presence in the infant church.
He did not wait for Peter, but took control
of a situation embarrassing to the Jewish
apostle. In a dynamic and soul-thrilling
manifestation, the Spirit took Cornelius as
His own. The speaking of tongues was no
babbling, but a useful gift such as had
come to the believers at Pentecost (Acts
2:4).
[39
1
Lesson 12, for June 22, 1957
Peter Renders an Account; The Word at Antioch
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Acts
11.
MEMORY VERSE:
"But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God
hath cleansed, that call not thou common." Acts 11:9.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 141, 142, 155-160; Lesson Help
in the "Review and Herald" of June 6; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary," Acts, chapter 11.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check
Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 5-7.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To see the willingness of the church leadership to move
forward into new developments, in this case the winning of Gentiles, and to
note the establishment of the work in Antioch in Syria.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. Peter Called to Account
1.
Eating with uncircumcised Gen-
tiles. Acts 11:1-3.
2.
Call no man unclean. Acts 10:28;
11:9.
3.
Testimony of witnesses. Acts
10:23; 11:12.
4.
The
authority of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 11:12-16.
II. The Gospel to the Gentiles
5.
The lesson of Cornelius. Acts
11:17, 18; Gal. 2:9.
6.
Peter's dissimulation. Gal. 2:11-16.
7.
The spread of the gospel. Acts
11:19, 20.
III. The Work of the Gospel in Antioch
8. Evangelistic results in Antioch.
Acts 11:21.
9.
The commission and qualifications
of Barnabas. Acts 11:22, 24,
first part.
10. The success given him.. Acts 11:23,
24, last part.
IV. Saul's Work at Antioch
11. Barnabas seeks Saul. Acts 11:
25, 26.
12. The believers called "Christians."
Acts 11:26, last part.
13. Barnabas and Saul at Jerusalem.
Acts 11:27-30.
14. John Mark enters the ministry.
Acts 12:25.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
The work of the gospel
now enters a new phase. In the early years
the message was preached to the Jews.
Then the circle of activity was widened
under pressure from the Holy •Spirit to in-
clude the Samaritans, who already believed
[
40]
the Scriptures and looked for a Messiah.
Next, two Gentiles, the Ethiopian and
Cornelius, already believers in God and
the Scriptures, were accepted. Now, at
Antioch, raw heathenism is met, and pa-
gans, previously untouched by the truths
of Scripture, are converted and brought
into the circle of believers. This is a great
step, and though taken courageously, meets
great opposition. The time is about
A.D.
42-45.
Places:
Jerusalem; Antioch
in
Syria;
Tarsus in Cilicia.
Persons:
Peter; the apostles in Jerusa-
lem; the six witnesses; converted men,
evangelists, from Cyprus and Cyrene;
Greeks; Barnabas; Saul; Agabus, the
prophet; John Mark.
Peter Called to Account
1. What "severe censure" did Peter
meet at Jerusalem? Acts 11:1-3.
NoTE.—"When the brethren in Judea
heard that Peter had preached to the Gen-
tiles, and had met with them, and eaten
with them in their houses, they were sur-
prised and offended by such strange move-
ments on his part. They feared that such
a course, which looked presumptuous to
them, would tend to contradict his own
teachings. . . .
"Peter candidly laid the whole matter
before them. He related his experience in
regard to the vision, and pleaded that it
admonished him no longer to keep up the
ceremonial distinction of circumcision and
uncircumcision, nor to look upon the Gen-
tiles as unclean, for God was not a respecter
of persons. . . . His caution was made
manifest to his brethren from the fact that,
although commanded by God to go to the
Gentile's house, he had taken with him six
of the disciples then present, as witnesses
of all he should say or do while there. . . .
"The disciples, upon hearing this account,
were silenced, and convinced that Peter's
course was in direct fulfillment of the plan
of God, and that their old prejudices and
exclusiveness were to be utterly destroyed
by the gospel of Christ."—The
Spirit of
Prophecy,
vol. 3, pp. 332-334.
2.
What lesson had Peter learned
from his vision of the unclean foods?
Acts 10:28; 11:9.
3.
How many had accompanied
Peter from Joppa, and where did they
go? Acts 10:23; 11:12.
4.
What divine authority did Pe-
ter give for his fellowshiping with
the Gentile Cornelius? Acts 11:12-16.
The Gospel to the Gentiles
5.
What lesson did the church
leadership learn from the experience
with Cornelius? Acts 11:17, 18; Gal.
2:9.
6.
At a later time what compromis-
ing attitude of Peter is recorded, and
how did Paul challenge him? Gal.
2:11-16.
NoTE.—"The church was threatened with
division. But Paul, who saw the subvert-
ing influence of the wrong done to the
church through the double part acted by
Peter, openly rebuked him for thus disguis-
ing his true sentiments. In the presence of
the church, Paul inquired of Peter, 'If thou,
being a Jew, livest after the manner of
Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do
the Jews?' Gal. 2:13, 14.
"Peter saw the error into which he had
fallen, and immediately set about repair-
ing the evil that had been wrought, so far
as was in his power."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 198.
7.
Following the stoning of Ste-
phen, how widely was the gospel
preached, and through what agencies?.
Acts 11:19, 20.
411
TWO OLD FRIENDS,
BARNABAS AND
SAUL, SET OUT
FOR
JERUSALEM.
NoTE.—The men from Cyprus and Cy-
rene were Hellenists, that is, Greek-speak-
ing Jews who had accepted Christianity,
and had an understanding of the Gentile
world. Instead of "Grecians" as identify-
ing those who were now converted in Anti-
och, we should read, in keeping with the
oldest manuscripts, "Greeks," that is, pa-
gans untouched by the truths of Scripture.
The Work of the Gospel
in Antioch
8.
What did the blessing of the
Lord produce in Antioch? Acts 11:21.
9.
Whom did the apostles send to
supervise the work there? What were
his qualifications? Acts 11:22, 24, first
part. Compare Acts 4:36 and 9:27.
NOTE.—The man Barnabas here named
is the same who had introduced Saul to the
brethren in Jerusalem shortly after Saul's
conversion (Acts 9:26, 27), and who had
led in contributing to the "common purse"
of the church following Pentecost (Acts 4:
36, 37). It is a widely held opinion that
Barnabas may have attended the school of
Gamaliel in Jerusalem with Saul in earlier
years (Acts 22:3). Barnabas was "full of
the Holy Ghost," not merely a man of good
character, but possessed by the Spirit of
God. Stephen was also a man "full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost." Acts 6:5.
10. What success attended Barna-
bas's endeavors? Acts 11:23, 24, last
part.
Saul's Work at Antioch
11. Whom did Barnabas seek as a
helper? With what result? Acts 11:
25, 26.
NoTE.—With the joint labors of two
consecrated and Spirit-filled evangelists,
Antioch became a great center of mission-
ary activity for the Gentiles, while Jerusa-
lem remained the center for evangelism
among the Jews.
12. What name was first applied
to the believers in Antioch? Acts 11:
26, last part.
NOTE.—"It was God who gave to them
the name of Christian. This is a royal
name, given to all who join themselves to
Christ."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page
157.
13. What were the circumstances
of Saul's second visit to Jerusalem as
a Christian? Acts 11:27-30.
NoTE.—To take material aid to the fam-
ine-threatened Jewish believers in Pales-
tine required a trip by Barnabas and Saul
to Jerusalem. This was Saul's second visit
to that city since becoming a Christian. His
first visit there was about three years after
his conversion, at which time he was wel-
comed by Barnabas. Acts 9:27. His third
visit was also in Barnabas's company. Acts
15:2.
14. Whom did Saul and Barnabas
bring with them from Jerusalem to
Antioch? Acts 12:25.
[42]
Lesson 13, for June 29, 1957.
The Fourth Persecution; An Attack on James and Peter
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Acts 12.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and
hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation
of the people of the Jews." Acts 12:11, last part.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," chapter 15; "Testimonies," vol. 5, pp.
748, 749; Lesson Help in the "Review and Herald" of June 13; "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," Acts, chapter 12.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
❑
Wednesday: Questions 12-15.
❑
Sunday: Questions 1-5.
❑
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
❑
Monday: Questions 6, 7.
❑
Friday: Review the entire lesson.
❑
Tuesday: Questions 8-11.
❑
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON:
To realize that in a wicked world some children of God
die in His service, and some live on in the providence of God; also that there
is upon earth retribution on the wicked.
Lesson Outline:
The Setting of the Lesson
I. James Martyred
1.
The reign of King Herod Agrippa I.
Acts 12:1, first part.
2.
Herod persecutes the church.
Acts 12:1, 2.
II. Peter in Prison
3.
Peter's arrest and imprisonment.
Acts 12:3, 4 (first part), 6.
4.
The Passover season. Acts 12:4,
last part.
5.
The church in prayer. Acts 12:5, 12.
III. Peter Delivered
6. Rescue
by an angel. Acts 12:7-10.
7. Peter's realization of a miracle.
Acts 12:9, 11.
IV. The Awakened Faith of the Church
8. Reluctance to believe. Acts
•
12:13-15.
9. The astonishment of
the
believers.
Acts 12:16.
10. Peter's instructions and departure.
Acts 12:17.
11. The prison guards. Acts 12:18, 19.
V. The Death of Herod Agrippa I
12. Herod's political problems. Acts
12:20, 21.
13. Herod's irreverence. Acts 12:22.
14. Herod's death. Acts 12:23.
15. The progress of the gospel. Acts
12:24.
THE LESSON
The Setting of the Lesson
Introduction:
This chapter of Acts re-
lates the martyrdom of a second leader in
the church, "James the brother of John."
Peter was miraculously spared to do a great
work for God. King Herod accepted the
worship of man, but died ingloriously at
the hands of God's angel.
1
43
1
Places:
Jerusalem; Caesarea.
Persons:
King Herod Agrippa I, grand-
son of Herod the Great; James, son of
Zebedee and brother of John, the beloved
disciple; Simon Peter; sixteen soldiers; an
angel; Rhoda; the praying believers; a del-
egation from Tyre and Sidon; Blastus, the
king's personal secretary.
Interesting Terms:
"Easter." This is a
late English term, mistakenly used by the
King James translators to translate the
Greek word for "Passover;" it was the pass-
over season, or the time of "unleavened
bread." Acts 12:3. "Easter" is from an
Anglo-Saxon name for the pagan annual
spring sun festival. The word was not
known in Bible times.
"Quaternion." A squad of four soldiers,
serving together on a special-duty assign-
ment.
"Damsel." The original word means
only "servant girl."
"Chamberlain." The supervisor of the
king's private apartments; a sort of highly
placed secretary.
James Martyred
1. Who was king of Judea at the
time of our lesson [A.D. 44)? Acts
12:1, first part.
NoTE.—"Herod the king here mentioned
is Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the
Great, and son of Aristobulus and Bernice.
During the reign of Tiberius he resided at
Rome, in alternate favor and disgrace,
sometimes banished, sometimes a prisoner,
sometimes a guest at the imperial court.
He was a great friend of Caius Caesar Ca-
ligula, and, on his succeeding to the empire
on the death of Tiberius, was promoted by
him to the tetrarchy of Herod Philip, with
the title of king. He was further advanced
three years afterwards to the tetrarchy of
Herod Antipas; and, on the accession of
Claudius to the throne, Judea and Samaria
were added to his dominions, which now
comprised the whole kingdom of his
grandfather, Herod the Great. Agrippa, in
spite of his close intimacy with Drusus,
Caligula, Claudius, and other Roman mag-
nates, was 'exactly careful in the observance
of the laws of his country, nut allowing a
day to pass without its appointed sacrifice;'
and he had given proof of his strong Jew-
ish feeling by interposing his whole influ-
ence with Caligula to prevent his statue
being placed in the holy of holies. This
spirit accounts for his enmity against the
Church. He was a man of very expensive
and luxurious habits, but not without some
great qualities."—The
Pulpit Commentary,
Acts, vol. 1, p. 378.
2.
What did Herod do against the
church? Why? Acts 12:1, 2.
NOTE.—The James martyred by King
Herod Agrippa I was "James, the son of
Zebedee, or James the Elder, to whom,
with his brother John, our Lord gave the
surname of Boanerges, . . . sons of thun-
der. Nothing is recorded of him in the
Acts but his presence in the upper room at
Jerusalem after the Ascension (ch. i. 13),
and this his martyrdom, which was the
fulfillment of our Lord's prediction in Matt.
xx. 23. His being singled out by Herod for
death in company with Peter is rather an
indication of his zeal and activity in the
Lord's service, though we know nothing
of his
work."—The Pulpit Commentary,
Acts, vol. 1, p. 378.
Peter in Prison
3.
How securely was Peter held
in prison? Acts 12:3, 4 (first part), 6.
4.
In what season of the year did
this event occur? Acts 12:4, last part.
NOTE.—"We have another characteristic
trait of the religion of Agrippa, and of his
sympathy with the feelings of the Jews
about the Law, that he would not allow a
trial on a capital charge, or an execution,
to take place during the Feast of Un-
leavened Bread."—The
Pulpit Commen-
tary,
Acts, vol. 1, p. 379.
[ 44 ]
5.
What was the church doing on
Peter's behalf? Acts 12:5, 12.
NOTE.--"There was great grief and con-
sternation at the death of James. When
Peter was also imprisoned, the entire church
engaged in fasting and prayer. While the
Jews were celebrating the memorial of
their deliverance from Egypt, and pretend-
ing great zeal for the law, they were at the
same time persecuting and murdering the
believers in Christ, thus transgressing every
principle of that law. At these great reli-
gious gatherings they stirred one another
up against the Christians, till they were
united in a bitter hatred of
them."—The
Spirit of Prophecy,
vol. 3, p. 335.
Peter Delivered
6.
How were the prayers of the
church for Peter answered? Acts 12:
7-10.
NoTE.—Peter was released from his
chains without even the guards who were
chained to him being awakened. He was
led out with locked doors opening before
him. To Peter his deliverance had rather
the characteristic of a vision than of an
occurrence in real life. The fact of the
supernatural is strong in the book of Acts.
7.
How did Peter come to under-
stand what was happening to him?
Acts 12:9, 11.
The Awakened Faith of
the Church
8.
How was Peter received when
he came to where the brethren were
assembled? Acts 12:13-15.
Nora.—So wonderful was the super-
natural act of the angel in rescuing Peter
that the believers could scarcely accept the
PETER IS RELEASED.
JAMES IS EXECUTED.
THE LOW KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR
ALL.
facts. Rhoda's simple, childlike faith is re-
freshing.
The apostles were evidently still using
the "upper room" of the gospel record
(Luke 22:12, 13) and of the Day of Pente-
cost (Acts 1:13; 2:1, 2), thought to have
been in the house of John Mark's mother,
where the church is found in prayer when
Peter is released.
' •
9.
How did the church feel about
Peter's release? Acts 12:16.
10.
What instruction did Peter
give?
What did he do? Acts 12:17.
Compare Matt. 10:23.
NOTE.—The James here mentioned is
thought of as an older brother of Jesus
Christ (Matt. 13:55), son of Joseph by a
first wife. Compare
The Desire of Ages,
page 87. This is the James who presided at
the very important council of the church
held in Jerusalem in
A.D.
49 or 50, and
described in Acts, chapter 15. He was
doubtless the author of the Epistle of
James.
11.
What was the reaction of the
authorities to Peter's disappearance?
Acts 12:18, 19.
The Death of Herod Agrippa 1
12.
With what political difficulties
did Herod now attempt to deal? Acts
12:20, 21.
13.
To what idolatry was Herod a
party? Acts 12:22.
NOTE.—"Herod knew that he deserved
none of the praise and homage offered him,
yet he accepted the idolatry of the people
as his due."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 151.
14.
How was Herod punished?
Acts 12:23.
NOTE.—"The same angel who had come
from the royal courts to rescue Peter, had
been the messenger of wrath and judgment
to Herod. The angel smote Peter to arouse
him from slumber: it was with a different
stroke that he smote the wicked king, lay-
ing low his pride, and bringing upon him
the punishment of the Almighty. Herod
died in great agony of mind and body, un-
der the retributive judgment of God.
"This demonstration of divine justice
had a powerful influence upon the people.
The tidings that the apostle of Christ had
been miraculously delivered from prison
and death, while his persecutor had been
stricken down by the curse of God, were
borne to all lands, and became the means
of leading many to a belief in Christ."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 152.
15.
What progress continued to at-
tend the preaching of the gospel? Acts
12:24.
Volume VI of
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary
(Acts to Ephesians) contains at least fifteen
maps illustrating the main events in Acts, Galatians, and
Ephesians. They will be of great help and interest in
the study of our lessons on the book of Acts during the
second and third quarters of 19 5 7.
41W.M.O.
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